TTC 10+++ Months Grads Thread

[sweetgrouch]

Decided to start the new thread seeing as the old one is filling up.

sea* - how are you feeling? Has the baby started slowing a bit? Most people I know found their babies slowed towards the end. Are you enjoying your leave?

bunny - I hope your scan went well and that you are starting to feel less sick.

Buzz - Mini and BB must have gotten the same memo to try jumping in the bath. Mini also likes to try to turn the hot water faucet on. He now says two words - Mum and papa . Unfortunately it is only when he is cross and screaming at us for having taken a dangerous object away or stopped him from doing something dangerous . It's amazing that your inlaws are so helpful. I hope she is doing well.

Gin - How are you doing?

euro - I hope all is well with centime and that you are enjoying your time at home.

AFM - it's been a hectic time - Mr's dads girlfriends father passed away and her daughter in law is in the hospital with a serious infection. We are a bit unsure of how to proceed other than offering condolences, they live several hours away and we have never been close with them, but both feel a bit cold if we don't do much. We are also dealing with the usual onslaught from my family my mother to be specific.

Hi sweet - sorry to hear about the family dramas. It's always a bit tough to deal with extended families that aren't strictly speaking your own family isn't it.
Mini sweet sounds v sweet indeed. I can just imagine him saying mummy and daddy when he gets crossed.

I am not on leave yet. Tomorrow is my last day in the office. I am counting the hours. Baby is showing no sign of slowing down at all. If anything, he seems even more active then usual. He started rolling and kicking at 4am this morning. It was impossible for me to go back to sleep. All day at work today he was rolling - it feels like I have swallowed a shitasu massage mat - that is actually the feeling but coming from inside me. Very weird indeed. I imagine a part of me will miss this but overall I think I will be v happy to have the baby. Hoping he will be a week early at the moment so it gives me time to sort stuff out once maternity leave starts.

Free - How are you? I imagine you must have your hands full. Hope you are enjoying these early days of babyhood.

Bunny - How did the scan go? I hope it wasn't too nerve-racking.

Euro - How are you and C?

Waves to Buzz.

Hi

Sweet that isamazing that mini speaks

Sea I hope you are having a good last day at work

Euro how is it going?

Minifree is ok. MrFree and I are exhausted.bbreastfeeding technically works but midwife reckons I am never going to produce enough to ebf and will always have to top up with formula. I dint mud this so much. But a feed takes over an hour inc breast and bottle every 3 hours. So a 1.5 to 2 hour break before next starts. Long term midwife reckons this is not sustainable and I can consider pumping to maintain and increase supply and give mini breast milk in a bottle. But I don't want to be tied to pumping every 3 hourseither really. Maybe I am expecting too much. She's very loud and shouty and the volume and stress increase if wrong don't guess what she wants immediately and see to it immediately are incredible. In Tuesday we can laugh. At night after 3 hours crying I am crying too. I know this won't be forever and that are very lucky tohave our healthy girl.

Thatcshould read in the day wrong can laugh . Anyway. I am going to take your (bunny? Buzz? Not sure) advice and leave everything that isn't seeing to mini. Yesterday I did three loads of laundry. Made and cleaned up lunch and dinner. Was outdoor an hour doing errands and saw to mini the majority of the time as Mr was wfh and by the time the night feeds came round I was done. Must remember it is only week 3.

free - The third/fourth week was brutal for me too . I think you're right to listen to bunny's advice and let everything else go, buzz also had a very healthy attitude "happy mum, happy baby". The first bit really is relentless and it will get better, I promise. The only advice I can give is to pump a bit and hand mr. Free the bottle and ask for a bit of sleep alone, it was a life saver for me during the first bit when I really just needed an hour or two of uninterrupted sleep to feel human again.

sea - At the end of the day you will be properly on leave - I hope you get your wish and get to relax before meeting your acrobatic mini. It sounds like your little boy also missed the memo that he is supposed to slow down towards the end.

Mini has a cold and we are on no sleep, I should have known it was coming, as he played with family members who attend daycare services over the weekend.

sweet we're good thanks! Mini G is currently pulling herself up on EVERYTHING and then forgets she can't actually stand, so topples over when she let's go! It's hard getting anything done, as I have to watch her 24/7. I can't believe baby S is talking already. Ginster says dada a lot, but I don't think she knows what it means. Sorry about the cold and no sleep. I'm dreading Ginster's first one... Are you back at work/planning to go back? I'm back in a few months, so trying to enjoy every minute I have with ginster, whilst fitting in all the boring housework type stuff.

Aww free, those first few weeks months are so tough. I had supply issues too. The best advice I had was to stop all topping up and let the baby feed for as long/much as she wants to build the supply. I was also told to pump x4 a day (including once in the early hours) to build supply, but not to worry about amount pumped. It took ages for the feeding to be sorted and I sat on my arse in front of the tv feeding for ages, but we're still going strong now at almost 9 months and both love it. Having said that, I think I'd have been much happier those early days if we'd swapped to formula. Although not sure how we'd have comforted ginster, as only the boob soothed her (we too had a shouty baby!). Mr G used to give a bottle of formula last thing in the evening, so I could go to bed and get some kip before the night feeds started. I'm impressed at you cooking meals! I did nothing like that for ages. My mum would come and stay a few days each week, which was a huge help. Take it easy, only do the essentials and it does all get so much easier, promise!

sea happy last day of work/start of mat leave! It sounds like you've had a tough pregnancy. Enjoy your days before baby S arrives. I have very found memories of mine - I felt so much better and less tired not working. When is baby S due? So exciting!

bunny have you had your scan?

euro how's it going? C looks such a cutie - tiny, perfect and chubby! Are you getting any sleep? Is the feeding any easier?

Waves to buzz and other grads

Aww all the babies sound very cute.

Free you are doing so much! Just the bare essentials, my lovely and remember you are nurturing your baby and healing you body post-birth. I'm sorry it's ups and downs. This bit is hard, hard work. Please make sure you're kind to yourself and rest. I didn't stop feeding mini bunny for weeks. She was on and off every half hour / hour. I spent a lot of time eating chocolates / biscuits in bed and watching tv. X

I don't have time for a massive post. I'm off for my scan this morning and I feel sick with nerves. Oh god, I'd forgotten how terrifying this bit is. I'm trying to eat some breakfast and then I'm off to shower whilst the other two sleep and then we need to get mini up and ready, which will involve tears as she's terrible like her Dad in the mornings. Argh! Please send good vibes. Will be back later...

thanks everyone for your support and advice. yesterday i did nothing other than look after minifree and it was so much better. she was much calmer in the evening and way less shouty. i dont know if there is a correlation but i am hoping. we all got a bit more sleep. MrFree finds it very hard to fall back to sleep after being woken - and I feel concerned about him driving to work and back on hardly any rest - we need to get more efficient but it will come.

bunny - massive good luck for the scan

sweet - sorry to hear about the cold of mini, hope it clears up soon

ginestas - thanks but i am only doing sandwich lunches and defrosted pre-cooked meals shoved in teh oven for dinner so i am not chopping onions or anything [smile

my parents will come at the end of the month - plan on making them do lots to help me

euro - hope all is well with you and centime

free I'm glad you had a calmer day and that you have helping hands coming soon.

Scan was all good and very emotional again. They've put me at 12 + 2, so I'm just 3 days ahead of where I reckoned. I cannot express how relieved I am that everything is ok so far!

bunny - I'm so happy for you! Did they guess the sex at this one or do you want a surprise?

free - Yay for the calmer day and extra help! I remember how exhausting the first bit was, I watched every olympic event in the TV and drank pints of tea (it was cold out). Sympathies about the shouty baby - Mini was very shouty too if he didn't get his way fast as a newborn. Mr Free is back at work?

Gin - I start work on Monday gulp I have been getting a bit teary eyed whenever I think about it. I have been enjoying my time with mini so much. I am just trying to make the most of this week. Mr Sweet will be home with mini when I go back, so at least I can avoid a child minding service and the inevitable onslaught of non-stop colds and flus. I hope baby G avoids a cold as long as possible, they are miserable! Amazing that they seem to constantly forget they can't let go without falling.

Buzz - I hope all is well with bb. I imagine you are running around like Gin and I catching a little one before they fall or do something dangerous.

Sea - Hope you are sleeping in or just flopped on the couch relaxing on your first day of maternity leave.

Euro - hope all is well

Waves to anyone I missed. I just got mini down for a nap and am enjoying breakfast alone. He was up around 4:30-5:00 today my eyes were so bleary it was hard to tell, but at least he slept much better than the night before and was all snuggles, hugs, and sloppy baby kisses.

Awww bunny I'm so pleased for you. That's just fab news

Free you are doing way too much. You must only take care or mini f and yourself. Everything else can wait. Glad your parents will be around to help soon.

Sweet - enjoy the last few days at home before heading back to work. I know it must feel very hard but I'm sure you will get into a good routine soon enough. How long did you have off in the end?

Gin - nice to read you.

Oops posted too quick.
Gin - I do worry I might give up bf too quickly. The plan is to give it a go but I have heard it's really hard going. Not sure how strong my resolve will be. Have to keep reminding myself it will be worth it I guess.

First day of maternity is amazing. I feel a big weight off my shoulders. Had check up and it seems baby sea's head and neck is already fully engaged. Wonder if he will make an early appearance. Someone asked up thread I think. I'm due in 2 and a half weeks. Still haven't packed my bag. Must sort now.

free It is tough at the beginning, mini free seems to like to take her time when feeding like the french BB guzzles her food down like she hasn't eaten for days, we are talking barely 5 minutes as long as she is gaining weight, all I can say is being tied to the pump is misery, like I said to euro set a two week deadline, try it and then re assess how you feel, I took domperidome/motillium{its an over the counter nausea medication} to help increase my supply and it did help, how much do they think you need to top her up with, agree with gin about letting them feed to increase your supply, thatis supposedly the best way but you do have to put stuff on hold to let them do it. I stopped as BB was not interested in the boob, plus she was eating 1/3 more than I was producing this will pass though.
BB is also a shouter, she goes doesn't believe in giving much notice when she wants to be fed, the babycino machine takes 2 minutes, she can literally have a meltdown in that time, they do create routines that do change over time, but you'll notice things/signs as you get to know her better, 3 weeks is still early and you both have to get to know each other and that takes time :)
I used to feed and change BB in the living room so I didn't disturb Barry, although he can sleep through most things, I do believe that they pick up vibes from you, so if you feel stressed they pick up and react to that.

sweet What a clever boy he is :), BB is no where near saying anything comprehensible love the baby animal photos too, we have another tooth, just waiting for the other one to finally break through, she is getting quite good at pulling herself up but I notice that she then tries to find something to stand on to get higher, usually there is nothing there for her to climb onto, sorry he is not well though, as for family, there probably isn't much more you can do other than what yo have already done, just inquire after the daughter inlaw, maybe sending a card???

sea yay to maternity leave, oooh you are so close, yes pack that bag lady

bunny congrats glad all was well at the scan :) when are you due

euro hope you and centime are good, lovely photos on fb

waves to gin mellow teu and anyone else I have forgotten

buzz we were topping up 70-80ml. midwife has said she was probably only getting 20-30 ml from me and knackering herself out (ie burning calories) to get it and shouty as she was permanently tired and hungry.

so now - this weekend i am pumping to increase supply and she has a little comfort breast feed in the eveningor when shouty. i am pumpimng in the same rhythm she is feeding - every 3 hours. she is drinking approx 100 ml a time. either expressed breast milk or formula. overall she is getting more breast milk than before but whether my supply increases from 40-50 ml a time to anything near what she needs remains to be seen. i mentioned the being tied to pump and concern she would never feed at breast but midwife poiunted out this way she gets more of my milk, its only for a few months and breast feeding at up to 15 minute intervals with a kid who wasnt getting enoujgh is unsustainable especially with topping up as well. i dont know if i am doing the right thing. but i do feel better after the resulting longer sleep blocks of a satisfied baby.

Buzz forgot to say I will definitely follow your advice to do a sanity check in 2 weeks. What works at the weekend with Mr on hand may be impossible alone in the week. And I am not looking forward to pumping at the in laws next weekend.

free all you can do is give it a go, are you able pm me the name :)

free - I pumped at the inlaws and had to during a job interview. I think I just got used to the awkward over time. I hope you find it ok. I am very nosey and was hoping you could also pm me the name

AFM back to work, I should stop slacking on mn.

Congratulations free! That does sound like one hell of a labour. I'm glad you and mini free were not separated for too long.

The early weeks are hard. I'm finding the sleep deprivation pretty brutal. C just won't go more than 3 hours between feeds whatever we do, and it is often only 2-2.5. So by the time you feed and change her, and then sit her upright for a while (as she will puke if put down too soon), we are lucky to get 1-2hrs at a stretch

Bunny I was a bag of nerves in the first tri and amazed every time a scan showed something other than a big black hole of nothingness in there. I'm so glad yours went well. That's awesome news.

sea I hope you are doing ok. I never got as far as you have but I was still suffering a bit in the June heat. It must be great to be on mat leave now.

I'm loving hearing about all the advanced 10+er babies and their attempts at walking and talking. C is very much still in the 4th trimester. She's currently on the sofa next to me, farting like an old man . She actually lifts her leg like something out of a slapstick comedy. She is no lady. Other than the sleep deprivation, it is all going well. She is putting on weight really well and was 7lbs exactly at 8 weeks (more than double her birthweight of 3lb6), so clearly the expressing is working for her. I'm finding I can pump less frequently now and still keep up with what she needs at the moment, so it is ok. I've got a manual pup as well as my rented electric one now, so I can pump when out and about, which frees me up a bit. She will latch on pretty reliably with nipple shields and occasionally without, so we do mix it up a little bit. She had her first set of jabs on Friday and was very grumpy for the rest of the day and then spent the weekend projectile vomiting. Over me, mr euro, the bed (leading to a 5am change of sheets...), the sofa. She seems better today though.

Euro! So lovely to hear about C and her slapstick farts. I love that she lifts her leg to do them. She sounds just adorable. . How are you feeling and has your scar from the section healed?

Free - How are you doing? It sounds like you are doing well. As others that know much more than me has already said, the early days are tough but I am sure you will get into a good rhythm in no time. Hope the pumping isn't too much of a chore.

Sweet - How was your first day back at work? Were there tears? I bet it was tough to leave mini sweets.

Buzz - Very wise advice you give there re BF. Will take note for future reference.

Not much going on here. Knicker watching like mad and drinking lots of raspberry leaf tea. Yogaing every day doing walks and meeting up with friends. Just waiting for it to happen really.

That sounds great sea. I missed out on any pre-baby maternity leave and I had a list of things I wanted to get done. Oh well, maybe when she is in school...

I'm feeling good. Tired, but good. My scar has healed really well. I would rather it were not there, but the consultant declared his handywork "as neat as a pin" and I have to admit that he has done a very good job. The internal stitches are still a bit sore but getting better. I can just about stand to wear jeans and normal knickers now! Enjoy your mat leave! BTW, if you wanted to meet up at all while you are on leave, let me know. I've so enjoyed the 10+er meets I have done so far.

euro - It's amazing that C is starting to bf without a shield! I'm so happy that the scar is healing so nicely.

sea - no tears. Mini has been really good, he just gets so excited when I get home. This morning I was nearly in tears because he was sleeping when I left

If anyone makes it out this way I would be open to a meet up.

Euro. So glad to hear scar is healing well. Would be lovely to meet up. I will PM you my details.

Sweet. I did actually mean tears on your part rather than on mini sweet's part. I think leaving the baby to go back to work is usually harder on mums than the baby. I hope you are enjoying your new job. I think you are in the UK but not in the big smoke. Would love to meet but not sure where you are?!

Free how's mini F settling into the world? I hope bf is getting easier.

Afm have been quiet because I caught an awful tummy bug. At first I thought it was first signs of labour but after 10 trips to the loo and a call to the hospital it became apparent that it was a bug. Actually hoping labour doesn't start for a few days as I feel so weak I'm struggling to sit up, never mind have the energy to push a baby out

sea sorry you are not well, hope you are resting and saving energy for the big push, oooh very exciting that it is so close :)

free Having a baby and new boss is over whelming at times, the first few weeks I wondered how I would manage to keep her alive and safe, its a massive responsibility and I think we as new mums put alot of pressure on ourselves, it does get easier

euro sorry for the lack of sleep, BB was a relatively good sleeper from the off so not too many wakes ups in the night, although we had a shocker the other night, you are right it is brutal being sleep deprived and having to look after a baby, yay to feeding without the shield and gaining weight, I quite liked them and so did BB on occasion :) good to hear the scar is healing well

sweet I hope mini sweet is better, love the picture of him and kitty, I have to admit, I don't think about going back to work and leaving BB, I am putting off calling my boss to discuss my return to work, I do want to return and think BB will like nursery its just getting past that first stage of separation,

bunny hope you are ok

We have just been to the IOW, the car was full to the brim you could hardly see BB in the back, we are going to get a roof rack and pod, not foe her but all her crap I have to say it was better than I thought, not a too longer journey, she slept most of the way there and back, she was great at sleeping in the pram so we could eat out. She also started to proper crawl, has 2 new front teeth and had a go and 2 stairs indoors, she likes the kamikaze face first approach going down but feel we will have to teach her to come down backwards, we don't have any stairs here so will have to practice at inlaws, I now have ironing for Africa so better get to it :)

sea - how are you? It mustn't be long now.

buzz - good luck teaching bb the stairs. Mini likes to climb up and then stand and try to jump down. He is a bit of a daredevil adventurer these days. The return has been hectic, but ok overall. Mini shouts and books it towards me when I get home, which is nice. I hope you're enjoying the crawling too . Has bb got 4 teeth now?

bunny - hope all is well.

euro - Been loving the pics of centime, she's really adorable. I hope the sleep is improving.

free - how are you? How's mini? I am as curious as buzz about the name.

sar and gin - how are you?

AFM it has been a crazy two weeks. Work is insane and Mr's dad had a medical emergency last week (first day back at work) and mini now has a new cousin. So just a crazy time in our household. waves to everyone and I hope everyone is doing well.

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk sea how is it going???

sweet we have almost 6 teeth now and they blardy well hurt when she bites :) BB likes to hold onto stuff that can easily fall down on top of her. Sorry about the crazy week, thats usually how it works though, other stuff crops up when you least need it to, is little cousin a he or she

free how are you doing??

euro love the pics on the other place

bunny how are you doing

Can I just say that a lovely lady who I met on the miscarriage board years ago and who was great support to me through every including my pregnancy is in labour right now, I am mega excited