Thread #4 - TTC#1 the one where Stark joins the grads!!!!

[Runner05]

Welcome to another riveting instalment of TTC#1 grads.

We've got new grads POAS every day just to make sure, 1st Trimesters wondering if they will be hit by the dreaded morning sickness or not, those approaching the hollowed promised land of the second trimester where all is good and the glowing will prevail... Those who have reached the second trimester and are thoroughly miffed at the lack of glowing.
We have scan photos, bizarre symptoms and the joys of baby shopping, and very importantly we now have Stark!

All are welcome on the wild gas powered ride that is TTC#1 grads

Morning ladies, and congratulations Elle!

So exciting that you felt a first kick Shelb! You and Runner must have 20 week scans soon? Mine is on 6 April, so not too far away.

Lots to catch up on, will pop back later.

Welcome and congrats Elle.

Lisa remind me how far along you are? It could just be round ligament pain, that can take my breath away and always happens when I sneeze very annoying timing!.

Yay Shelb to feeling movements. Pip is on a roll now and is moving all the time, DH can feel him daily which is lovely.

Runner that doesn't sound pleasant, maybe a trip to the pharmacy?

YES imp I so want a Tripp
Trapp too, but I'm getting it second hand off eBay.

Thanks everyone, that's very reassuring! Got myself a bit worked up there with how severe the pain was.

Miley - love that you've counted the hairs under your belly button! I haven't investigated there yet - will do some exploring

Welcome Elle, great to see you over here! Hope everything is going well!

Jam - haven't had excess ear wax myself, but can completely believe this is another lovely pregnancy symptom.

Oh the fun we're all having....

Bunch, I'm 12+3.

Thanks!

Congrats impy and Elle! Fab to see this group filling up.

Jam yup, I've had this. Proper grim! Coupled with horrendous acne and a suddenly horrifically flaky scalp I am one attractive beast right now!

Exciting about first kick shelb, how far along are you now?

I'm on my way to view some houses. Fingers crossed for a good'un, would be lovely to get this move on the road before I get too whale like! Hope everyone can have a relaxing few days. Lara, definitely stockpile some treats for when you're feeling better!

Thanks peaches I'm going to do exactly as you suggest.

Yay welcome elle!! The first few weeks are so scary and i couldn't let myself get excited. I'm 9 weeks now and although I know there are still risks, it's not constantly on my mind like it was.

Thanks planet, I will. Fx you find a perfect home!

Mines coming from eBay too Bunch, they're so expensive new! I'd really like the newborn set too, as I think the wee one will be better entertained by its brothers at table height rather than in a bouncer on the floor. There's not as many of those floating on eBay, so might have to splash out on that.

I'll spend the next 6 months trying to decide if I want a bright colour or wood look... Lol

FX Planet

Lisa sounds like perfect timing for round ligament pain. It apparently come son with sudden movements so the stretch may have done it for you.

I agree, the worry does start to subside after about 9/10 weeks tho not completely and I don't worry about it half as much. My stomach is pulsating noticeably now. I'm assuming that's to do with the extra blood flow? It's a constant twitch but can be seen through thick jumpers it's that strong

Imp I want a bright colour but there's not many on eBay at the moment. I've a seen a fair few newborn sets though but going for as high as £55, as they're £75 brand new I'd rather pay a lot less than that for second hand.

Just for fun. I haven't heard of a lot of things you ladies mention so besides the nursery furniture, car seat and pram what are your top 5 essential to you items?

Mine are: a good breast pump, a sling (material wrap kind), a bouncer with soothing motions (swing/gentle vibrate), a variety of gro bags and an audio and visual monitor

Miley I'm not getting a pram at all
And currently have a collection of 4 wraps that I'm sure will grow before Pip arrives. I've also had 3 Gro bags bought for us already and love them!

My biggest thing is getting the cloth nappy stash built. I have some
Wraps and muslins but need more wraps and Terry's.

I just want an audio monitor and also a good breast pump but think I may be gifted these once my SIL has finished with hers.

We're pretty much set up for baby once the second cot is bought and nappy stash is complete. I've been given so many clothes from my SIL who has a 6 months old little
Boy so I shouldn't need anything in that department.

bunch that's brilliant. Muslins are high on my list too. I'm not buying many clothes at all because 1. We aren't finding out the sex and 2. I know others will go crazy buying them and to be honest I'm sure for the first few months at least butter bean will be in vests and gros most of the time. There's a whole world of baby things out there that I didn't even know existed! I sometimes feel well out of my depth but have chosen to keep things minimal and if there's something extra we find we'll benefit from then we'll pop out and get it once bean is here.

Miley mine are a good cloth wrap or mei tai (I have too many a range), Aden and Anais swaddling muslins, cloth nappies and wipes, Gro bags, Frugi vests (for over cloth nappies).

I'd also add a rucksack changing bag, for when babywearing.

Things I'd like this time as a treat: a Tripp Trapp highchair with newborn set; an automatic swing, I have a baby bjorn bouncer which is great, but needs to be bounced when they're small, I'd love to hear what you buy; some merino baby wear/Gro bag (dreaming, it's super expensive); and when they're bigger, one of those jumperoo things.

Bunch if I'm going to pay £55 second hand I'd rather wait for 20% off or something and pay slightly more for new. That's hardly a saving! I'd expect to pay £40ish! Especially when you can get the chairs for that and they're much more to start with!

Exactly Imp!!

I've been telling DH the whole time this will be a thrifty baby and we seem to be keeping to it. Car seats and cots have been bought by both parents so we're very lucky there. I get cash back off my council for cloth nappies so I have a huge saving on them. I got all but one of my wraps for a steal on eBay and saved a huge amount on the rucksack we're going to use.

I love the Aden and Anais swaddle muslins Imp I picked mine up in NYC in January but have since found to maxx do them for a bargain!

That's great Bunch! my council doesn't do the nappy scheme, but I bought mine in great second hand condition and as they're now onto their third just with me I think they've worked out worth it!

I didn't know tk maxx had them!! I love them so much. I'll keep an eye out, thanks!!

Blimey, you guys have been chatting a lot!!

Congrats Imp what's your EDD so that I can add you to the list?

Aww Stark that doesn't sound like fun

Indi you obviously tempted the law of sod

Yay! For feeling kicks Shelb

Lisa it was probably just an ex pension pain.

Congrats Elle

Pink My 20 week scan is annoyingly at 21 weeks on 15th April. Can't wait! I want to know whether I've got a girl or boy potato baking in there lol

Jam me to with the ear wax but I've always been a bit waxy

Sorry if I've missed anyone.

Been busy today running around town and doing shopping. Absolutely shattered now and I'm getting some trouble from my back and hips which is making me a bit uncomfortable but on the grand scheme of things I've got nothing to complain about.

I think we're going to have to start posting pictures of our baby purchases for us all to ogle lol.
Today I managed to find some fantastic Star Wars themed baby first words books I shall post pictures later

Lots more kicks from Potato today. I don't actually need to be concentrating to feel them anymore. Although they're not strong enough yet for me to feel them when I'm walking around. He's a real fidget bum!

If you're not on the list, please let me know your EDD so that I can add you
August
11 Mor
13 Bunch
16 New
27 Runner (or any time after 04/06)
30 Pink

September
1 Shelb
4 Nev
12 Danni
14 Soda
14 LittleBelle
17 Bubbles
28 Leonie

October
1 Lauren
5 Lisa
8 Choc
10 Miley
10 Irregular
11 Indi
13 Co5mo
14 Lillian
20 Planet
27 Lara
30 First

November
6 Bellini
8 Pyxie
11 Peaches
11 5tar
12 Rae
21 Canters
25 Stark!!!!!
25 Jam
29 Elle

Reading about your baby purchases and planned purchases is cheering me up! I have barely started research yet so it's helpful.

bunch interested to hear you're not getting a pram. Do you mean you'll just use a carrier?

Hi Lara yep just a wrap for us.
Our family think we're nuts and we have a bet on with my FIL that if I make it to Pip walking without a pram then he'll pay for an epic spa break and babysit. I have 5 witnesses to this so I'm keen to win.
If you saw where we live you'd understand why a pram is a huge waste of money for us. I live in the back end of beyond, lots of hills and mud and where I walk the dog can have lots of stairs. Nothing screaming pram friendly to me. I don't often go trawling round shops where having one would be useful, just lots of places I know it would be a hindrance. Plus getting a pram in the car with a car seat and a dog in the boot is just not going to work.
I'm going to be very smug on my spa break in 18 months or so time.

Bunch and Miley - are the slings easy to se? Presumably they velcro fasten or something so you don't have to be trying to tie them with baby in? I've not even contemplated them before but think they would be useful for around the house for me, so I can be pottering around with baby with me if needs be.

We've ordered our nursery furniture. The next four things will be: pram, car seat and base, gro bags and feeding bits and bobs. Then a changing bag, although I've yet to see one that both me and OH like. Has anyone looked at breast pumps?! They are pricey! We are going to wait to see if baby will take to breast feeding first before we buy a pump.

I've been on the eternal quest for maternity jeans today. Why is it so difficult to find nice ones?!

Did you manage to get something from the pharmacy for your mouth Starky?

Runner - that's annoying that you have to wait until 21 weeks. Mine is at 19+3 so just before the 20 weeks. I also can't wait!

No Pink the ones I have are all tie. Velcro would also never be strong enough. You can get ring slings and buckle carriers etc that don't need wrapping as such. But I'm not keen on them at all. They can be a bit fiddly to get used to but eventually you can apparently tie them with your eyes closed. We're starting with a stretchy that you pre tie on you then pop baby in. The wovens generally need wrapping around baby and we'll be moving on to them from about 4 months I imagine.
If you do get tempted please make sure you look up ergonomic carriers. Lots of people buy carriers that Argos etc sell and they're just not suitable for babies spine. I can massively suggest joining Facebook advice groups if you are interested or finding a local sling library.

Good point about the velcro - bit of a blonde moment on my part! I'll have a look into the various options in terms of types.