Thread 12 TTC#1 Grads. "You are my favourite thing that ever shit all over my hands"

[AudreyBradshaw]

Behold, the wonder of birth! Members from 6 weeks bfp to post-partum wonder Mamas! No question to grotty or minging.

We've come full circle from obsessing about cervical mucus to now obsessing if it's our vagina baby plug going! What larks!

Lots of talk about poo, ours and now babies too! Baby brain is REAL! This heat can kiss my arse. And who KNEW being so neurotic about which changing mat to buy could be so satisfying and addictive!

Sooo many gorgeous babies now! And equally lovely Mummy's! We are amazing! What a year! Can you believe it's been a year since our first tentative TTC thread!? Look how far we've come!

Roll up, literally, in my case, cause I'm practically rotund! for TTC #1 Grads!

Nev I'm sorry I hope I didn't make you feel that way! I honestly don't think there is much difference in bottle and boob, your baby is being fed and that is the most important thing. Bodhi getting sick was not your fault and you sound like you are doing everything you can to make your boy better. So glad to hear the scan went well and good bit Bodhi for being so calm and collected --and for the big winky!

Lisa Quinn is such a 'cool girl' name, i wish I was that funky to pull it off. I love it. It's completely normal to feel upset, your body has been through a trauma but now you have your little Quinn and I'm sure your doing an amazing job as a new mama.

Pink yay for the wedding dress!! Did you go for meringue style? Or something more fitted?*

Potato* you're doing so much with Arya, I'm hoping to be the same once I've got this newborn thing sorted out and well done Arya putting on weight!

Bunch you were definitely not starving Atticus, you're doing the best job you can and now you know what you need to change. I'm getting to know very quickly that being a mum is a massive learning curve, even with things you thought you knew.

So me and Autumn are home! I was discharged after 24 hours as midwives were happy with how we were and how Auttie was feeding. She's had a few times where she's been fussy or struggled to latch straight away but we are getting there.
So the first night at home was pretty good, she screams the house down when we are doing a nappy change though and then the dogs bark downstairs. Hopefully they'll just get used to her noises. Also she really doesn't like the Moses basket, DH is going to buy a sleepyhead first thing this morning as she's basically slept on my chest all night. It's weird because I always said I wouldn't think about co-sleeping and would try and get her used to her own cot/crib straight away, but when she's crying I know the only thing that will calm her is a cuddle so I just stick her on my chest and shes straight to sleep. I really hope the sleepyhead works though!
I'm pretty sore from the surgery, I can walk around very slowly but I'm going to spend the next couple of days in bed. Also I'm getting period pains which I take is my uterus starting to contract?! My bleeding isn't too bad though. I haven't been for a poo since Wednesday though and I'm pretty scared for my first post surgery poo..I'll see if it happens today as I don't want to have to push.

Hope everyone else is doing well, I will try to catch up more but this sleep-eat-poo cycle from Autumn takes more time than I thought!

lisa just to echo others - don't feel you should 'get over it', it sounds so traumatic and it must be so difficult for you. Rake your time

feef how awful about your PGP! Look after yourself xx

pink congratulations on getting your dress! That was quick! And brilliant that you're almost back to your prebaby size already. Is it long until the wedding?

bunch don't feel bad, you've done an amazing job! I really think these growth charts are just here to add extra stress to us, like we don't have enough to worry about.

potato you're doing awesome. When did you start tummy time?

indi I had the same issue with the moses basked so bought a next2me and popped his sleepyhead in it. Autumn is so beautiful, you must be beaming ❤ the cycle gers easier once you get used to it, I can do nappy changes in my sleep now.

Oh nev, what a trooper Bodhi is! He's a little superstar and do are you!

Indi she is adorable! We have the same set up as miley a chico next 2me with a sleepyhead inside. He sleeps so well in it!

Last few nights little rascal has been getting earlier with his waking up for the morning he wants food all the time then falla asleep after hardly any but lay him down and he is sick. Sooo tired and glad it is the weekend tonight and therefore OHs turn to do anything a night feed!

Pink how exciting on the wedding dress! Do you have your wedding booked? Can we know details! I am trying to get excited for mine as we booked it last weekend but feel too fat and tired at the moment!

indi she is gorgeous!

Congrats lisa, love the name too!

We have the next2me and sleepyhead too, although last few nights I've had to sleep with him on me as he won't settle for some reason, used to sleep just fine in there

Don't feel bad nev I am mix feeding now as I still find breastfeeding quite painful, so doing alternate feeds.

potato you sound like you're doing so well with keeping little miss busy. Need to start doing some more with Mason

Glad you found your dress pink, how exciting?!

Since having the baby Ive really been neglecting OH, I need to start considering him a bit more. Anyone else feel like that?

Hope the preggos are all doing well and the sickness sods off soon

Morning all

dannii, I really feel like I've neglected OH. He tries to be all affectionate and cuddly but picks the worst moments, like when I'm in the middle of a pooey nappy change, and I get irritated. It's hard going from a family of two to a family of three and ensuring everyone gets attention.

I hope Mason's sleeping improves.

Glad the tests went well bodhi. The winky comments made me chuckle!

Don't feel bad bunch. Atticus is your first baby and you are not psychic - it takes a while to understand what their different cries and reactions mean.

indi, Autumn is beautiful.

fishy , glad the medication is helping with the sickness.

So, the wedding is in May in a converted barn. We are hoping for it to be very informal and relaxed, more of a party where we happen to get married! I have looked at dresses previously, in early pregnancy, so I think I've tried on about 30 in total. I went for a strapless mermaid style, so nice and fitted. I always said I didn't want strapless but I loved it when I tried it on.

I'm currently sat in bed feeding and reading a wedding magazine Sometimes I wish I had a little bell by the side of the bed and a waiter who would bring me breakfast

Hope everyone has lovely weekends.

danni yeah I feel the same about OH. he keeps trying it on as well but I'm nowhere near brave enough to try to DTD yet! He easily annoys me at the minute as well which doesn't help. He got up for work this morning and said he was tired he doesn't do any feeds (obviously) or night changes, gets a full nights sleep in and us only disturbed for seconds when Harrison cries to be fed because I take him downstairs! 9 times out of 10 he doesn't even hear him

pink your wedding sounds lovely! We're at a wedding in may at a converted barn type place, wonder if its the same venue

miley, I could have written your post - that's exactly like my OH! I sort of want to get DTD for the first time post birth over with if I'm honest. I'm not so worried that it might hurt after my stitches, for me i'm more concerned that it will feel different for both of us. I doubt things feel the same after a baby has come out of our bits

Is the wedding you are going to at a High House Farm, Doxofrd Barns or Healey Barn by any chance? They are the converted barns I know of up our way.

Pink miley we have the opposite problem in our house! Not DTD since I think May. He doesnt want to still now - he is too tired because of the baby. That will be the baby that he never gets up to all night... how the hell are all these men who sleep 11-7 each night so bloody tired?!

Updating the list with the new thread babies Sorry not sure about Quinn's birth weight lisa or indi how many weeks Autumn was on your C-section date?

Team B - 12 / Team P - 11 / Team V - 7

Graduate Babies
Blue - 7 / Pink - 7

August
Bunch: Atticus 09-Aug @ 39+3 - 8lb 12oz (Blue)
New: Jacob 16-Aug @ 40 (Blue)
Potato: Arya 19-Aug @ 38+6 - 6lb 12oz (Pink)
Leonie: Theodore 25-Aug @ 35+1 (Blue)
Shelb: Evelyn 29-Aug (Pink)
Nev: Bodhi 30-Aug @ 39+1 - 9lb 4oz (Blue)

September
Danni: Mason 01-Sep @ 38+4 - 7lb 1oz (Blue)
Pink: Evelyn 07-Sep @ 41+1 (Pink)
Soda: Alexa 09-Sep @ 39+2 - 6lb 1oz (Pink)
Irregular: Tamsin 11-Sep @ 36+3 - 6lb 2oz (Pink)
Miley: Harrison 12-Sep @ 36+2 - 6lb 6.5oz (Blue)
DrWhy: Edward 14-Sep @ 40+6 - 9lb 6oz (Blue)

October
Lisa: Quinn 1-Oct @ 39+5 - ? (Pink)
Indi: Autumn 5-Oct @ 39? - 7lb 2oz (Pink)

The Waiting Room

October
13 Co5mo (Team Blue)
15 Planet (Team Pink)
23 Lillian (Team Pink)
26 Lara (Team Blue)
30 First (Team Blue)

November
5 Pyxie (Team Vanilla)
19 Canters (Team Blue)
20 Jam
25 Audrey (Stark) (Team Vanilla)
28 Elle (Team Vanilla)

December
12 Feef (Team Vanilla)

January 2017
5 May (Team Pink)
11 Ni (Team Vanilla)

February 2017
15 Evergreen

April 2017
3 Drink
14 Marmite

? 2017
Jan
Lovely

TBC
11-Aug Mor (Team Vanilla)
2-Sep Taz (Team Blue)
29-Sep Laurenrl (Team Pink)

glad to hear you're home with Autumn now indi - I love the nickname Auttie! Hope grandma and DH are looking after you both. She looks so cute in her outfit!!

potato Arya sounds like she's doing really well!!

glad Bodhi's check wasn't too horrible Nev - what a trooper not even having a cry.

on the traumatic birth Lisa - take the time to look after yourself - it is a lot to go through and there is an unreasonable expectation to hit the ground running with a newborn and move on from the birth experience. It's definitely not a normal day to day event and I'm sure even the smoothest textbook birth is quite the ordeal!!

feefs sorry to hear about the crutches! Can't be good at this late stage esp if you're not yet on ML

well done on the wedding dress and accessories pink! hope the rest of the planning goes as smoothly

Aaahh how exciting I'm on the graduate baby list
Lillian I was 39w when I had her, and yes nanny and DH are looking after us well thank you.

I've just received certificates for Autumn and she is now a lady!! Lady Autumn my friend has actually bought her a title, it's so funny. She owns a plot of land in Scotland according to the certificates.

Hi all just catching up!

Nev so sorry to hear about poor wee Bodhi having to have more tests, glad they sound to have gone well though. Can't imagine how hard it must be to watch your baby in hospital and having tests, you're so strong!

Quinn is such a lovely and cool name Lisa! I can only begin to imagine how scary an EMCS must be. It would be strange if it didn't take some time to process

Poor you Feefeefs sounds miserable, hope you can avoid the crutches if at all possible!

Pink how exciting on the wedding things! Dress sounds gorge! And well done on only needing one size up so soon after birth, that's amazing! I wish I could do it all again!! I love weddings I've had to pull out of being a bridesmaid for one of my oldest friends whose wedding is at the other side of the country immediately before my due date which I'm really sad about. I'm getting as involved as I can in the meantime though! Can't help but feel like I'm letting her down a bit though as she was a bridesmaid for me last year and is such an old friend. She's been really understanding though and is excited for our news.

Glad you are feeling better on the meds now Fishy! Have you got your head round any of this yet?! I am slowly beginning to realise its really happening, but only since 12 week scan!

Well done you and Arya Potato you sound like you're doing an amazing job, you're doing so much with her!

As others have already said you were not starving Atticus Bunch I can only begin to imagine how much of a learning curve BFing and being a mum generally must be. All the mummies on here are doing such an amazing job I'm just soaking it all up feeling rather in awe! Struggle to imagine that will actually be me in 6 months time!

Indi what gorgeous pictures of Autumn!! Love the pink bow!!

I've got a good friend coming to stay for the weekend, looking forward to it although it will be strange not to share a bottle of wine with her or go out for cocktails!

Just checking in. 48 hours post sweep and absolutely no sign of him. Rolling steadily on to induction.

More cute baby pics for me to coo over.

Pink it can be really surprising what dress you actually choose in the end. Lots of people end up with something they never imagined. We had a church wedding followed by a barn reception. Loved the balance of formality/informality we were able to achieve there. I hope you'll be able to have as good a day as we did.

Thank you everyone, it means a lot.

Potato - it sounds like Arya is doing brilliantly! Well done! When did you start with all the tummy time, reading, toys, etc.? Is it something we should be doing straight away?

Thanks Bunch! I've put a photo below.

Nev, so pleased the scan went well, and it sounds like Bodhi was very well behaved

Indi - ha! I've also been told it's quite posh! (We're not posh). It'll be so interesting to see how she turns out and how she fits the name. You were discharged so quickly! Is that because it was an elective?

Autumn is adorable! What a great present from a friend to make her a Lady!

Thanks for the list, Lillian! Quinn was 8lb 7oz.

Welcome to the world, Quinn and Autumn xxx

Autumn and Quinn are both gorgeous!! Ahhh scrummy tiny little babies!

Saw the consultant today, very straight forward- c section booked for 14th November when I will be 39+2! I can't wait, in just over 5 weeks I will have my boy!

Aahh amazing news canters! When they first told me my date I cried with happiness. It's so great to have a date in mind and remember that date can change like mine did I'm so excited for you.

Quinn is so so cute Lisa! Yeah I was discharged really quickly, it probably was down to it being elective plus Autumn and I were both doing well and midwives were really happy with her feeding. I'm so glad I was out quickly as I'm much happier being home and in my own bed.

Pink wedding dress sounds gorgeous and I'm so impressed you're only one size up after a month post partum.

Midwife came round this morning, Autumn was checked over and all was fine. They did mention she looked a bit jaundice but nothing to worry about and it'll 'flush out', it's weird how they didn't say that at the hospital and I'm kind of thinking it may just be her skin tone as I'm quite olive skinned?! Who knows. Anyway, all was fine and they are going to come back tomorrow and Monday.
DH also picked up the last sleepyhead in the shops, the 3 of us have just had a lovely nap with her in it on the bed between us. Absolute bliss!

Nev glad the scan went well hopefully all will be fine now

Indi Autumn is gorgeous!
Try putting a t-shirt you've worn under her head in her Moses basket, the smell will comfort her.
For the first few weeks your interactions with Autumn will be very one sided, I was just reading to her whenever she was awake and playing music for her they let you know their favourite music pretty early on it's only the past week or so that she's shown any interest in what I'm doing.

Miley, Lisa I started tummy time pretty much straight away. First my laying her on my chest and leaning back in a chair so that she could do mini push ups on my and from about 5 weeks I started doing a few minutes on her play mat every day.
I started reading from day one, I have a book of short fairy tales and I try to do one a day, I also started showing her toys immediately but I limited it to one or two as she wasn't interested in them until about 5 weeks then she started staring at them but she only started actively playing with them in the last day or two.
Apparently even if she isn't interested it's important to show her things and read as it helps to build the mother baby bond and even if they're not paying attention they're still learning.

Danni LO may be having a growth spurt, mine became really needy when she had hers.
I totally know what you mean about neglecting OH. I feel so sorry for mine but there's not much you can do about it, baby needs you more at the moment.

Pink if you get one of those magic bells can you lend it to me?

Cosmo it's a shame the sweep didn't work but hopefully things will move on soon.

Lisa Quinn is lovely, and I don't know if I said but I love the name!

Canters congrats on getting a date!

Arya is 7 weeks today I can't believe how time has flown. I've had to buy a size up in nappies and I now have a small pile of clothes that are too small for her. Some of them that were gifts she hasn't even worn also, she properly laughed apparently me wiping milk from her face was funny.
I've been trying to work on her advent calendar today in between periods of Arya being awake. We've also read a couple of card books, had a fairy tail, listened to music for a couple of hours, practiced batting her dangly toys and done two sets of tummy time on her mat. I also showed her the washing machine, apparently watching the clothes spin was also mildly amusing.

I forgot to add this. Arya's definitely growing!

Oh Indi she is utterly gorgeous. Lady Autumn, how cute!!** Glad you're loving the sleepyhead.
Lisa oh look how adorable she is , she looks all shy

Nev I utterly adore the video on IG, Bodhi is doing amazing on his tummy. Atticus just cries but he's a right push upper on my chest.

So exciting Canters.

Potato Arya looks so gorgeous, she's looks so much more alert. You sound like an amazing mum.

Re DTD I now feel "ready" but DH is still too scared of hurting me, he needs to change the bloody record!

Sometimes I really hate the app with its bold failings!!!

Hi everyone, sorry - finding it so hard to keep up at the moment. Am doing my best!

Lisa I know exactly what you mean re the birth. I so wanted an active natural labour, had bought a tens machine etc and ended up being induced with epidural and giving birth in stirrups without any feeling because of the epidural. I was really disappointed. I know everyone says 'your LO is safe and sound and that's the main thing' and of course that's true but it doesn't mean your feelings aren't valid and understandable. Your birth memories will eventually fade. Sending hugs.

Indi great that you got home so soon, hope you're enjoying snuggles.

Pink great news on the wedding dress, how exciting! Am totally with you on 'getting DTD over with'. Planning on waiting til 6 week check up and then going for it asap. Really don't want to leave it too long. Am also worried about it feeling different. I'm having some problems with leaking wee I'm doing loads of pelvic floor exercises but hard not to worry that I've done some damage.

Re breastfeeding in public - I bought this top and find that it's given me a lot of confidence - https://www.amazon.co.uk/BebeChic-Quality-Cotton-Breastfeeding-Nursing/dp/B008IGC376

Nev you've really been through the mill with your little man. I'm glad his scan didn't bother him too much.

Potato great Arya pics - she's definitely grown!

Bunch you're doing a great job and certainly haven't been starving Atticus. Mamma guilt is rubbish.

I finally finished my kidney antibiotics yesterday. Have been expressing to try and get around the timing issue but last night was horrible as I couldn't feed her for an hour and she had all the expressed milk and just screamed. I felt like a total failure. I hope the UTI has properly been kicked now.

Alexa is 4 weeks today and has been a nightmare today! Just fed and fed and screamed when not being fed. She falls asleep and goes down for 10 minutes before screaming / wanting food again. Perhaps it's a reaction to me starving her last night

Hope everyone is doing well and has nice things planned for weekend.

Potato - I echo what Bunch says, you sound like such a lovely mum. I can't believe how much she's grown already, and it's incredible the little routine you have with her.

I might copy some of your ideas, particularly doing one fairytale a day or something. That's very sweet.

How is your step-daughter dealing with Arya now?

A few questions for breastfeeding mums:

• when you do a feed, what order do you do everything? E.g. Change then feed, or vice versa?
• how sore are you finding it? Soda, you say you had to feed loads recently (appreciate you're a few weeks ahead, so it might be different), didn't that make you really sore?

Lisa I change first and then feed but that's because she often falls asleep on the boob and I don't want to wake her to change her once she falls asleep. Obviously if I hear her go or smell her after a feed then I change her after! My boobs do hurt after feeding so much, yes. But I slap on loads of cream and I think your nipples also become more hardened to feeding after a bit too. Hope it goes ok xx

lisa, I do the same as soda, change and then feed, for the same reasons.

I'm using nipple shields as my nipples were so red and sore. My health visitor recommended using them for a while to give my nipples a chance to recover. I'm trying to phase them out at the minute, but they have helped a lot.