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

Hi Davina! good to have you back! What has been going on? What gave you been feeling down?

piggy - aw, that really sucks - it's horrible when bureaucracy forces your hand :( I know what you mean, every time we tell someone about the pregnancy I instantly wonder about telling them we've lost it - which is so silly... The way I manage it is to work out what we'd do if we did lose the baby; family get told by me over the phone (or DP if i'm too upset), everyone else gets an email - as at that point my feelings are more important than theirs.. knowing that there's a plan makes me relax a bit and stop worrying about the worst happening. Plus, as i'm sure you know, every day that goes by the chances of you losing the baby drop, it's getting bigger and stronger every day, symptoms or none! Pregnancy symptoms like nausea etc can be a curse too though - occasionally I get a good day with no nausea and I worry it means I've lost the baby! So you can't win either way really!

However (drumroll please!) I had my consultant appointment this morning and she did a scan and fuzzy is doing brilliantly! (And there is just the one in there, thank fuck!!!) Measured up perfectly at 8.8mm, so exactly the right size for 6+2 weeks and had a good strong clear heartbeat! Was amazing to see the heart beating - you can't hear it at this stage, which is a shame - but WOW was it awesome to see fuzzy there on the screen! I've stuck a copy of the scan photo on my profile in case anyone is interested!

I have got my booking in appointment with the midwife made, but frustratingly they can't fit me in for 4 weeks(!!!) so I shall be 10 weeks gone before I get to do my booking in - however on the bright side I gather they scan you again at booking in, so we'll get to see fuzzy again then and hopefully this time DP will be there! Bit worried that it might affect getting my 12 week scan as it'll be so soon after the booking in - but nothing I can do about that now! My GP only has one midwife and she only works 1 day a week - is very frustrating :(

Davina - so sorry you're feeling down in the dumps - do feel free to vent on here! We don't have to be happy and upbeat all the time - I strictly adhere to better out than in when it comes to feeling down - to DP, to my blog, to MN - I vent and it does help me. So if talking might help you feel a bit better, we're all here to listen :)

OK - this is the email from my sister about her experiences with reusable nappies - names changed to spare the innocent! Should point out that my niece was born v prematurely (30 weeks) and as such was very dinky and not as chubby as most newborns were. She's doing really great - but is doubtless still smaller than most babies - so my sisters experiences may well differ to those of someone with a bigger baby.

Also - just to explain the references to poppers being no good for me - these are because of my hands - my arthritis affects them quite a bit - particularly at night - so I need nappies that aren't fiddly to change in any way! Left the comments in in case it's useful info for others! :)

OK - here we go:

"I have tried quite a few types of nappies but the best ones imo are shaped sized nappies. I haven't used prefolds on SUPER CUTE BABY M, but FRIEND X used them on HER CHILD and they leaked constantly - full on poo up the back grossness! I have tried a bumgenius one sized pocket nappy and it looks really cute on SUPER CUTE BABY M and is smaller than other nappies but I found once she started moving around it kept leaking at the leg holes. That may well be because she is so skinny though. She's not a normal baby shape so things fit differently. I have found shaped sized nappies to be the best for fit - have never had a poo leak from one!

I use Lollipop bamboo shaped nappies and have got a one size tots bots (but it's not quite as good). They are basically the same as Little Lambs I think.

You have 4 choices in fabric for most nappies: bamboo, cotton, polar fleece or microfibre. I would stay away from the fleece - I have one and it leaks quite often, although it does come out of the wash almost dry, which is good! Microfibre feels horrible and is just not very absorbant (no good overnight). Bamboo is the most absorbant but takes absolutely ages to dry - you need a tumble dryer or a full day on the line in good weather. I have some Sandy's cotton one size nappies and they are really good for fit (have never leaked), but are quite thin so not very absorbant. They do dry a lot more quickly than the bamboo ones though. I only use them in the day as they are not absorbant enough for overnight (though you could just add a few boosters).

The one sized nappies all use poppers so you will probably want to stay away from them because of your hands, although poppers are good for when the baby starts to be able to undo the velcro fastenings, which SUPER CUTE BABY M delights in doing when I'm trying to get the nappy on!

If you go with shaped nappies then you will also need to choose which wraps you want to use with them. By far the best ones I have tried are Cotton Bottoms/Bummis or Motherease onesize Airflow. The latter use poppers though so prob not so good for you. There are lots of other wraps which are ok, but those two are my favourites. The Lollipop wraps that come in the sets are ok but I have found they tend to fold down and the velcro can rub the baby's belly sore.

You will also need to think about liners. Most nappy sets come with a roll of paper liners that can be flushed down the toilet. These are ok and we send them to the childminder to use for SUPER CUTE BABY M during the day, but I personally prefer to use fleece liners and just wipe/shake the poo off. I think they're more comfortable for SUPER CUTE BABY M and it's more environmentally friendly/cheaper. Plus they can just go straight into the nappy bucket if there's no poo so I don't have to go wandering around the house with a dirty nappy. They also help avoid the nappies getting stained by newborn runny poo which goes straight through the paper liners. You have to not be squeamish about poo to deal with them though!

You'll also need at least one bucket (I use 2 so I can do a 2/3 day wash cycle), mesh bags to go in the buckets, at least one wet bag (2 would be better), and some kind of nappy cleanser - I get mine from Single Step (veggie co-op shop) but you can get one in supermarkets too - can't remember the name now. I also use lavender oil in the buckets & bag to mask the smell.

Lollipop sell online but they also have lollipop advisors that will meet you and show you the different types of nappies they sell so you can see what they're like before making any decisions. You can then buy through them for the same price but they get some commision. They often have stalls at baby shows as well. Might be worth a try. You can also buy/hire trial packs that contain different types of nappies from lots of companies. Also, our local council do a £45 grant that you get to put towards buying washable nappies. Might be worth seeing if Hove do the same!"

And so endeth the email! Hope that's useful to everyone!

Thanks Carlita ? glad to be back! Can?t believe I?ve got 3 pages to catch up on !!

Not sure why I?ve been feeling crappy really ? think it?s probably a combo of hormones, 2 weeks off (first real break since October), feeling generally unhealthy with all the nausea, tiredness etc, and recently I?ve come down with a really horrid cold But enough about me being a miserable cow

So here goes with the catch up! Apologies in advance for the long post!

I?m not a massive BB fan actually ? my name came from before I was pg with DS1, I decided that I was going to get fit so I bought loads of fitness dvds off ebay in 2008/2009 & then got hooked to Davina?s High Energy 5 one, which I did religiously 3 times a week, and got to my fittest ever Then I got pregnant and it all went to pot!

So of you ladies that have heard your babies heartbeat/had scans! My first scan is next week when I?ll be 13 weeks ? luckily I?ve got the symptoms, and a distinctive bump now (yay!), but even so, I?ve still had mad moments when I didn?t believe I?m pregnant/have just a ball of legs . I can?t wait until it all becomes real! Although the bump is really coming on ? decided it?s not fat anymore as my belly button is very shallow! Very random I know

So sorry for Mamma Such sad news.

Welcome cosmic! Hope you like the cushions!

Agree with the comments on housework too ? I?ve hardly done any for ages But luckily DH has stepped up (almost) to my level, so we don?t have to live in a pigsty

Loving the random pushchair staring ? we got ours from Kiddicare but decided which one we wanted before we went, and I was really glad we did cos there is sooooooooo much choice!

Carlita ? your photos are amazing! So or your talents! I?m so not creative, but would love to be

Ouch for the clumsiness ? sounds very painful I?ve been spending so much time laying out on the sofa these days I couldn?t possibly injure myself

at the loo issues!!! It really puts my complaint of being sat just outside the loos into perspective (Complaint is the smell)

Yay ? congrats Bun!!! Being married is brilliant! We got married on our 7 year anniversary and I highly recommend it We got married in Mexico, although not on the beach. We did have some lovely photos taken on the beach though

Ooh Piggy ? you?re in Leeds. I?m in Huddersfield, but my DH works in Leeds [waves] Sorry you had to tell your work before you were ready. It?s rubbish when that happens

Trope ? sorry to hear about your MIL. Sounds really difficult I completely agree with the comments you?ve just made to Piggy too ? I have so many of the same thoughts!!! Wow at the fuzzy pic!!! You must be soooo excited! Thanks for the kind comments about venting ? I almost feel a bit of a fraud really as I haven?t had anything really to vent about (well not until this week but I?ll come onto that next!). Just been feeling a bit sad for no reason

So the vent I had this week was ? had my booking appointment on Monday. Was very excited at seeing my midwife again, getting my notes etc. So she came round (it was at home), we had a very brief chat and she asked me a load of questions as expected and was here round about half an hour. So after she?d gone I started reading through my notes and realised that not only had she not taken a urine sample & tested it, but she had also written down my blood pressure as being the same as when she saw me at 6 weeks BUT SHE HADN?T ACTUALLY TESTED IT!!!! Sorry about the shouting, but as you can tell, I?m still a bit So I rang the Day Unit to query whether I should have had my urine & BP taken (I had first pg), and the lady I spoke to basically didn?t really listen to what I was saying, but tried to put a load of words into my mouth that I was complaining that I wasn?t being cared for properly. She said that she couldn?t deal with it and she?d have to refer it to her matron/my midwifes team leader and get someone to call me back. Needless to say, no call (more ) So I rang up again today and spoke to a lovely lady who did actually listen and reassured me and said if I wanted to come down at any point, that I could and they would do the tests, and it might be an idea to take a sample to my scan next week and they?ll test it then as well. I was quite concerned that there might well be repercussions when I next see my midwife, in case the awful woman made a big fuss and it got back to my midwife, but the lady I spoke to today has made me feel so much better And breathe! And maybe some pretend

Think that?s me up to date now Promise not to stay away so long again! Hope you haven?t fallen asleep to my ramblings ? off to bed now. Night all!

PS Haven't commented on the nappies bits just because we're using disposables but gosh you ladies are good at research

trope wow! Yay for fuzzy! So glad s/he's doing well (and is singular, not plural!) will take a look at the picture when I next get on a computer! Thanks for the email re the nappies, that is really helpful, I know it apparently does take a bit of practice with the prefolds (nappy demo woman used them with her 3 kids) and I'm sure that practice will be messy!
davina I now have an excellent Lycra clad image of you, good to know the origin of your name! I would be about the appointment too! It's not asking much really for them to do what you expect or at least explain why not and lying about your BP is something she could be disciplined for so that explains why you didn't get a very warm reception when you called them about it ! Apart from the lying/falsification of records maybe they just do things a little differently where you are? I'm assuming if she didn't ask for urine she didn't take bloods either so may that is routinely done at your scan appointment?

Thanks for the email re reusable nappies. I'm a bit afraid now. My council doesn't do money back but they do a free trial of various types of nappy. That's ok, but it means we can't really buy in any nappies until pamplemousse is born. I think DH and I have come to the conclusion that we will use the biodegradable disposable nappies for a month or so when the baby is born, which gives us some time to try out cloth nappies and hopefully should avoid issues if the little one is on the small size.

davinaaddict - T'Hudders I see? I'm from Brighouse originally but since neither of us could work in our respective industries there we had to move. My mum mentioned something about a massive Mama's N Papas near Huddersfield, I think, is that right?

I have now officially reached 20 weeks which is very exciting! Pamplemousse was going mental last night/this morning, so lovely! DH has been away but I'm hoping he might be able to feel the odd kick externally now - he arrives back tomorrow. I think there may be a kiddicare visit in our near future. Am totally stuck on which pram to buy despite lots of lovely advice. Am seriously considering buying a Bee and then buying a much cheaper off-roader type pram (maybe a Nipper?) a bit later on. But that seems extreme as I also want to use a sling at first. Maybe a second hand Bee is the answer...

Sorry about the mental Lycra image. Although I was very fit then so it wasn't too bad! And I WILL get there again! Well maybe in another couple of years

I had my bloods taken at my 6 weeks app, although there was a problem with one of the samples so she had to come back & retake one . Think there may be a difference as I was in Halifax last time, although Hx & Hudds are a joint maternity trust so I would expect it to be the same. I've actually crossed out the BP on my notes & written 'not taken' next to it so at least my notes are accurate now. It will be interesting to see how next week goes!

Ooh we're actually between Hudds & Brighouse now ghost. And yes, your mum's right - there is a Mamas & Papas warehouse about 2 miles from us & it has a factory shop so cheap stuff!!!! It's great - would highly recommend it. We got the furniture for DS's bedroom from there at a really good price. They don't have a massive selection, depending what you want, but they do furniture, Moses baskets, bedding, baby & maternity clothes, prams, plus some other stuff - lots of range but only a few items per category IYSWIM

Re: kiddicare, not sure if you ladies have shopped there before, but thought I'd share my experiences. Shop - huge & loads of choice so plan for a couple of hours at least for browsing (unless you are target shoppers & know exactly what you want & nothing else ). Staff are lovely - not high pressure Sales people & know what they are talking about. They also have a cafe on site, which is handy as from memory there's not much else nearby.
Web - more choice & can collect nectar points on all purchases. We ordered a few things including a gorgeous toy box. The toy box was a bit damaged so we asked for it to be replaced but there was a bit of hassle with delivery, false promises etc. But we got the toy box replaced and actually still have the original one in our garage as they never came to pick it up! The delivery guy that brought the replacement couldn't take the first one apparently as they hadn't processed it! So overall not a major problem, just more of a hassle really. And of course everyone has different experiences so I might have just been unlucky. Sorry - just read that back and realised it was a bit pointless

Congrats on 20 weeks! It goes so quickly - can't believe we're already at 12 weeks (yay!). Loving the baby names - we still haven't named ours yet but think we will after our scan when we will actually believe that there is a little baba growing in there! Although being the drama queen I am, I'm sure I've already started to feel movements - I started feeling them at about 15 weeks first time round, & you know it's not just wind. Especially as I've spent SOOOOO much time on the sofa lately

Anyway, enough ramblings from me - bet you wish I'd not come back now !! Have a lovely day, all!!

Davina, thanks for the helpful advice re Kiddicare - I think if we go we'll plan to make a day of it, as it's a couple of hours' drive away from where we live anyway. I have a sort of spreadsheet with a short list of things with prices to compare etc which I'll take with me, but the biggest worry will be whether to buy in store or not as it's a long way back if we change our minds! Since you mention the nectar points, though, it may be worth ordering online anyway. Incidentally, I've just joined boots to get an advantage card and join the parents club, as I hear it's the best one.

I'll keep MNP in Huddersfield in mind too, just in case we visit the folks!

Does anyone else have torrential rain right now? CRAZY weather here - and a hurricane about to hit our head office (USA) by the look of it!

Hi ladies!
I've missed lots of exciting messages!
trope that pic is fab!!! how fantastic to get the scan and see the heartbeat at the first appointment After all of my stressing over the past few days I decided to book a scan for next Saturday when I should be spot on 8 weeks. Also got my letter for the NHS scan on 5th Oct. Exciting!
The nappy email is so useful. I think I will get the free trial pack from the council and see what works. We've also decided to get some disposables for the first few days and for visiting others and days out etc ghost.

davina I didn't know about the M&P outlet shop!! Where is it exactly? You'll have to show me I've been to the big store at Ikea on the M62 but I'm assuming that isn't what you mean? My DP works in the centre too and we live in the North of Leeds. I'm not from here originally, but I really like this area as it's close to York/Harrogate/Sheffield and not far from Manchester. Good luck for your 12 week scan - exciting!! You'll have to pop your picture up too :)
I'd be really annoyed about the midwife too - especially as I'm a bit of a hypochondriac and a worry-wort! Good on you for writing 'not taken' on your notes! Hope you're feeling a bit chirpier now

Congratulations on 20 weeks ghost Have you had your scan yet?

I've gone a bit mad today on ebay - after an awful breathless-palpitation-lightheaded episode walking back from Starbucks (that'll teach me!) up a big hill, I was feeling sorry for myself so went on to ebay and randomly bid on about 5 maternity bundles - all of which I'm currently winning Really hoping some other people outbid me on a couple as if I win them all it will be about 60quids worth of stuff - eeek!!!!!

ps ghost we have awful rain here too and DH's mum and sisters are currently on a week's holiday in New York - eek!

Hope this works!!

www.mamasandpapas.com/stores/store_locator_store.php?storeid=M930001

Sorry about the walking episode Piggy - have had a few of them lately too, so you have my sympathies. Hope you get outbid too, but if not just think of all the lovely clothes you can choose from (and save for DC2???). I've just dug out mine from first time round, and I'd forgotten about a few things I had bought & not worn last time. It was very exciting!!! As you can tell, I don't get out much

We had terrible rain here too although I've had a cheeky afternoon nap so slept through most of it

Ps Piggy - hope the hurricane misses NY for your IL's!

davina and ghost what are your scan dates? ghost, are you exactly 20 weeks today? Congratulations! I'm exactly 10, only 1 week until my scan

davina and ghost what are your scan dates? ghost, are you exactly 20 weeks today? Congratulations! I'm exactly 10, only 1 week until my scan

hey carlita - congrats on ten weeks, 25% of the way there, wohoo!

My wonderful 20 week scan was actually at 18+6, so Aug 17th. DH (who is military) was away for the 12 week scan, but here for this one, so it was extra special. We're not particularly emotional types but he thought the scan was very cool and amazingly detailed, and with him being a sciencey-boy type I think it really helped him to get his head around impending parenthood . So I was 20 weeks yesterday. No more scans for me unless there are issues or I cave and pay for one!

Carlita - mine's the day before yours, next Thursday & I can't wait!!!! It never occurred to me that 10 weeks was 25% of the way through - I blame the baby hormones

Aw ghost that's a lovely story about your scan! Have you posted a pic?

I'd like to see a pic too ghost davina not long to go, hooray I also hadn't made the 25% link bug that's great thinking about it that way isn't it? I'm sure we'll be where ghost is in no time, ghost can you feel movement yet?

Blimey, you were up early this morning Carlita!

Anyone else getting fed up of being so tired ALL the flippin' time?? I even have to have a lie down after a shower, it's ridiculous!!

Anyway, seeing the last of the family that don't know today, so I'm going to turn up in some shorty maternity jeans and a Tweetie Pie t shirt with 'Pregnant Chick' written on it - do you think they'll get the message?

That sounds like a fab idea, Davina! How cute!
I spent yesterday not doing much at all feeling wiped out. The nausea has started to catch up with me over the past couple of days too - I feel sick but hungry at the same time - ugh! Am eating a lot of yoghurt and bananas - at least it's healthy!

Looking forward to seeing everyone's scan pics I'll put my 8 week one up next Saturday.

Have already won 2 of the maternity bundles - not that I have any sort of hint of a bump yet

I was awake for an hour in the middle of the night, I keep waking up excited then can't get back to sleep

Sorry to hear you're not feeling great Piggy - hope you feel better soon. Love the positive thinking on healthy eating though!

Don't worry about not having a bump yet - it will be along in no time, and then you may be complaining about it getting in the way Good that you'll have lots of lovely clothes to dress bump in!

Aww Carlita - that's so lovely! The best reason for being awake so early!

Yay - another graduate on the way! Congratulations peapop!!!

Hi all! Been a busy week celebrating! Have picked out an engagement ring this weekend! We went traipsing around the beautiful jewellers in the Brighton Lanes on Saturday - cooing over all the terrifyingly expensive rings (£36,000 anyone?) but couldn't find anything that was right within our more modest budget - ended up finding the perfect one in H.Samual! Have to wait until we get back form Wales next week until I can pick it up in my size though - bummer! Was really looking forward to showing the whole family this weekend.

Off to the beach this afternoon (if that nasty grey cloud buggers off) to celebrate some more.

Lovely to hear everything is going well with bumps (nausea and tiredness notwithstanding) and how fabulous we've got another recruit! Congratulations Peapop

Weighed myself this morning - still not back up to pre-pg weight, my appetite is really low atm. Back in my pre-pg jeans which are too loose (below the bump!), bizarre!

davina - re the midwife - that's awful!! Good for you for challenging it! Hope things improve in the future - must be very stressful having to deal with stuff like that! Now they know you're on the ball and won't be messed around hopefully they'll be a bit more thorough / honest(!) in the future!!

Love the tweety pie tshirt idea - that's fab!!

Ghost Biodegradables while you work out what's best for you & baby sounds like a good plan! I was/am pretty daunted by working out what to go for (so much information / so many choices!), but my decision was made a bit simpler as my sister has some spare newborn sized lollipop bamboo shaped ones that she's offered to me, so I'm just going to go with that!! That being said, I shall probably get some biodegradable ones for some days out, when I need to limit the weight of what i'm carrying about! I figure there's no point feeling bad about not using the reusables all of the time - if my arthritis is bothering me and I can't handle the extra weight, then I shall use biodegradables occasionally and that is that! :)

Fantastic that you're at 20 weeks - it must be so lovely feeling pamplemousse moving about! And now you have your DP back too! Yay! Hope you're having a lovely long weekend together!

RE Kiddicare - I've not been - I gather they just have the one big warehouse? Sadly no where near me :( Online with nectar points sounds good though - thanks for the tip on that! :)

piggy - ooh! Scan next week!! Excited for you! At eight weeks you should get to see more than I did at mine - I believe you can see the arms/legs forming into little bumps off the tadpole/bean shape and the eyes starting to form! Fingers crossed you get a good image!!

I also get the breathless/lightheaded thing quite often, especially if I leave it more than, say, 20 minutes, between food! I have made a mental note to stay away from temptation/ebay after those periods!! How many of them did you win in the end???

Carlita - YAY! Congrats on reaching 10 weeks!! That's so exciting! 25% of the way through - that's just amazing!

Peapop CONGRATULATIONS! Welcome! Hurrah for another graduate to add to our thread!!

DP is safely home from NY - he flew back early Friday morning (their time) which was lucky as the airport was shut down not long after! One of his colleagues is stuck in NY - but he has family there so at least he isn't stuck in a hotel on his own! It looks like the airports won't reopen till late today... Piggy - hope your DH's family are OK!!

I'm off up to visit my sister in Morecambe tomorrow - getting the train as I can't face 5 hours of motorway driving whilst nauseous!! Just staying for a couple of nights - but rather excitingly my niece just took her first steps yesterday so hopefully I shall get to see her walking!! I'm actually quite looking forward to the train journey - got to change in london (tube from victoria over to euston) but aside from that it's just one long journey, so I can get settled in with a good book and some snacks! Should be quite relaxing I hope!

Hope you're all having a lovely bank holiday weekend!

bun have a lovely time on the beach! We're having lunch then popping out for a walk along the seafront and up into town - shall keep an eye out for you!!

Shame you couldn't get your ring in time for your wales trip - but great that you found something you love! Doesn't matter where it comes from - so long as you like it! There is some lovely stuff available down in the lanes, but a lot of it is waaaay over priced! We went around staring in all the windows recently when we were getting my mum's 60th bday present - eventually got her a beautiful second hand necklace with her birth stone & a teeny tiny diamond in it - but only after several false starts spotting perfect presents then afterwards spotting the price label!!!

Amazing that you fit in your pre-pregnancy jeans! Am jealous! I wore mine out on Saturday - had to keep the zip only half zipped up though! And discovered that I can no longer wear my summer coat as I can't pull it together at the bottom to do the zip up!! Am sure your appetite will return with a vengeance soon!!