Thread 13. TTC #1 Grads. Some of us still remember that thing called "a full nights sleep" for most, it's a mere memory.

[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! From morning sickness in the first trimester to the third trimester struggle of getting out of bed ( "walrus-ing"in our house), to actual real babies who are growing so fast! Discussion on the merits of sleepyhead and Ewan the dream sheep.

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!

bunch if you ever want to rant about your OH then I have an open ear. I find it helps to write down exactly what's pissing me off here so I don't actually have a mega rage at him.

Urgh MIL just rang. Is it bad that I ignored her?

Totally acceptable miley it's really hard trying to find the balance with MIL. With having a boy I feel like I ought to be more accommodating as will potentially be MIL myself in the future.....but I also think I'm fully aware my DIL probably won't want me fussing and in her face! glad OH has bucked up.

😂 Miley I should have done the same...my other MIL is coming over to take us out.

nev, Evelyn was weighed today and is 11lbs 4oz at 8 weeks old.

miley, we have jabs on Monday too, not looking forward to it at all

T was 10 lbs 2 oz at 9 weeks old. I'm hoping he will be closer to 12 lbs by the time I take him to be weighed again next week. He needs to be 12 lbs for Water Babies at the end of the month so no pressure...!

Hope your review blog goes well, Potato! Please let us know when it's up and running. I'm trying to write a blog too but it's hard to find the time to write anything! It's here if you wanted to follow me in time too. I'm going to try to write something else soon, if T sleeps long enough for me to be able to! It's a nice way to pass the time when we're just at home together.

New mums - what does your newborn sleep in? We will have a moses basket or crib, but I'm not sure whether to get some blankets or sleeping bags...? The sleeping bags look strange but I can see how they could be useful!

Janu we have 2.5 tog sleeping bags but he barely uses them. We have a groegg thermometer in our room and it is often over 20 degrees when we go to bed (needs to be less than 20 to use them) and drops to 18/19/20 overnight so we have been using a knitted blanket folded over in half wrapped over sleepyhead or a couple of cellular blankets. I find getting him back in a sleeping bag when he is up in the night really disturbs him and wakes him up could be because he is such a chunker its a bit of a faff getting poppers done

Little Bodboy at birth, one month and two months. He is definitely getting a better looking lad as he grows!

Hi everyone! I also post a bit sporadically - I find I'll do a flurry of posts and then get distracted and can't catch up again for another week!

Miley glad the situation with OH is improving a bit.

May great nursery!

First hope things get moving for you soon.

Potato great idea on reviews. Happy to help out - I've got the kari-me sling and the next to me crib.

Btw forgot to say but bunch and potato they were the cutest pics ever!

Everyone has much bigger babies that me! But Alexa started off quite small and she's following that growth line so far which is fine.

I left Alexa with my mum for 2 hours yesterday (first time I've ever left her) while I had my hair done (so far it hasn't fallen out if anyone remembers the hairdresser's concerns!). It felt very strange but I actually quite enjoyed relaxing and reading magazines! Miley - she ate 4oz of expressed milk while she was with my mum.

Jan I'd definitely recommend sleeping bags. Worth pointing out that I think gro-bags are only ok for babies over about 8lbs. I bought gro-snugs for Alexa which work for babies over 5lbs. They've been brilliant as we've kept her arms in and there's no stress about layers or her kicking off blankets.

Dani - thank you for recommending the mush app. I signed up and have arranged for a coffee with a girl who lives down the road with a daughter 1 day older than Alexa! It feels a bit like a first date

Bunch let's get in touch about meeting up arrangements closer to the time. Excited about real life meet

First fingers crossed they're able to do the sweep tomorrow

My goodness, the thread babies are certainly growing! So many in double digits, and a stone Bunch? Seems like just yesterday Atticus was born.

Canters I'm glad you were able to get some help, and that it's made a difference for you! I still don't know how I'm meant to feel about pregnancy! I've just finished the 'Babies in Mind' course from Future Learn, and have realised I will feel connected to baby once she's here, which has gone some way to reassure me.

Thanks for the nursery ideas - I'll have some fun with Google on the weekend. We love tipis as well, and found some lovely ones at the baby show last month. They're so pricey it might be worth looking for a plain one and going a bit DIY to suit your and baby's tastes. That was OH's idea, and it's perhaps the best one he's had during this pregnancy!

I'll have to catch up with Instagram. I'm toying with the idea of setting up an account for baby spamming. Not many people in my social media circle know I'm pregnant, and I'm tempted to keep it that way.

Miley it's best for your own sanity to ignore the odd call from the MIL There's some lovely pictures on your Instagram these past few days! I love following everyone here, and catching up with all the baby cuteness!

Leonie I'll have a look at you blog; I find writing quite therapeutic. I've just bought a baby book to get a start on, and I can't wait!

Nev love the comparison photo! Bodhi really is a good looking lad.

Soda glad you enjoyed getting out for the new do. Was leaving Alexa for the first time as you expected?

Thanks ladies for all the nursery comments. It's my favourite room in the house, and I'll wander up there now to have a peaceful few minutes to myself. Which is silly really, as I'm here on my own during the week anyhow

Lol I know what you mean soda, I've got a whatsapp group with some local mums now. Met up with 2 last Monday and it definitely felt like a first date... such a good app for those wanting to make mummy friends! (Tinder for mums lol)

mayo the nursery looks really good

feef yea I had another go at Costa head office. They just said they'd talk to the area manager. Again.

Miley glad to hear OH is being a bit better and Harrison is putting on weight well
PMSL at ignoring the MIL. So glad I don't have one to worry about.

First sorry they couldn't do the sweep. Hope it's better news on Friday.

Nev Arya is 11lb02oz at 10 weeks but she was only 6lb12oz to begin with.
What type of grobag do you have. When you say you struggle with the poppers are you talking about ones under the arm or over the arm? If it's under, then you don't have to do those up anymore at Bodhi's weight.
That comparison photo is adorable!!

Bunch that's annoying about the ims but better safe than sorry. Glad to hear you're doing so well

Leonie I'll have a read of your blog when I get 5 mine should be up by the end of the week and I'll share it ASAP.

Jan get gro swaddle or gro snug for newborns. I used blankets but it was summer and hot. I put Arya in grobags as soon as she was big enough and she immediately slept more soundly

Soda well done on leaving LO. I left Arya with her dad while I had a hair cut yesterday... I didn't hate it but I also didn't enjoy it.

Thanks everyone who has said they're happy to do reviews for me. As soon as I've got the blog sorted I'll post a email on here for you to let me know what you would like to review

So, we went to look at a car yesterday and ended up putting down a deposit we collect it next week! Exciting and scary. It's a Ford Focus sport model so OH is happy because it's sporty and I'm happy because it has a big boot and lots of room it does mean that my little car has to go on eBay next week though. I looked it up in a price guide and it's only worth about £200 but it's the saving we'll make on running costs that's important.

Potato he has never had the underarm ones done as too big and they are really snug arond his torso now too. I have a giant baby!

Bods decided to sleep 6 hours .... from 7pm till 1am and then be awake the rest of the night. I am so tired my insides ache and I feel a bit dizzy and out of it

Potato he has never had the underarm ones done as too big and they are really snug arond his torso now too. I have a giant baby!

Bods decided to sleep 6 hours .... from 7pm till 1am and then be awake the rest of the night. I am so tired my insides ache and I feel a bit dizzy and out of it

Morning ladies,
I too find it hard to keep up or post. I do have a read most days but sometimes can't reply due to Autumn waking up or demanding boob. She's currently asleep on my chest so I actually have 2 hands free for once
She is a month old tomorrow and I've found the last few days she's been getting really over tired to the point she is screeching the house down sporadically for most of the evening. She sleeps well at night but in the day time she doesn't allow herself to nap that much as she's so nosey and alert, which results in her becoming exhausted by the late afternoon and then acting like demon child until about 10pm. I was also worrying she has reflux but I think it's just normal posseting after feeding.
Anyway, I've had a constant headache for days now and I feel drained. She's usually such a good baby so I'm finding this crying screeching the house down hard work, last night I felt pretty fed up and felt like nothing I was doing was right. She didn't take the bottle I'd expressed for DH to give her and only wanted boob so I think I may save the one from last night and express another bottle today and then leave her with my mum this evening while me and DH go to the cinema. It's going to feel so weird leaving her and I'll be messaging my mum every 2 mins to see how she is but I feel I need a couple of hours break for my sanity and to stop me snapping at DH.
Also DH has his 'head wetting' day/night out tomorrow which is pissing me off TBH. He's said he won't go if I don't want him to, but obviously I'm not going to say that. I'm just annoyed that I do 90% of the looking after of Autumn and yet he gets to go out and have fun and celebrate. Surely I deserve a bloody night out and a drink, not him! I wouldn't be ready for a night out atm anyway but still, it's just annoying me and the fact he'll be coming in drunk tomorrow night and not be able to help with the night shift.
God, I feel better for having a vent.

Oh forgot to mention I went to my first baby massage class yesterday, really enjoyed it and chatted to some nice mums. Also was pretty proud of myself as it was my first trip out just me and Autumn. She seemed to enjoy the class too

Miley glad to hear OH is getting his act together. I would be exactly the same with a MIL TBH, I'm glad I don't have one!

Soda nice to hear you had a good couple of hours away from LO and your hair hasn't fallen out

Exciting car news potato, and I can't wait to read your blog. I'd also be up for reviewing but I don't know what I'd review

Canters sorry to hear you were having a tough time but I'm so glad you're feeling better now. Not long until your little baby will be in your arms. Also please don't worry about the first couple of weeks after having a baby, your hormones will be all over the place and have you doubting everything but it's completely normal. I wish someone had mentioned it to me.

Nev that comparison photo is so cute, it's amazing how much he has changed!

Hi to all the other mummies and preggos. Hope everyone is doing well and will try to catch up more often x

Still not able to do stretch and sweep! Cervix now a bit shorter (1cm) but still closed!
Lost some clear mucus plug this morning though so hopefully things are slowly moving in the right direction!
He's going to come in his own time this one!

Exciting, first! How are you feeling?

Feeling a bit impatient now! Was really hoping my cervix would have been open today so that they could do a stretch and sweep.
Booked in for a T+10 appointment at hospital where they check on fluid and blood flow (wednesday) and would be induced on friday next week if he doesn't come before then.
Finding the waiting harder and harder the longer it goes on!

Canters, I'm so sorry you were feeling like that, it sounds so hard. It's lovely to hear you're feeling better, and also that you feel able to share this with us. If you ever need to talk or just rant about feelings, we are all here.

Nev - I love that comparison photo! The expression in the birth photo is just fantastic, I don't know if I saw that first time round. He's awesome!

Indi - I know exactly what you mean about Autumn getting overtired. Q has become very much the same in the last week or so. She goes down ok at night (though only sleeps a few hours at a time before she wants boob), but in the day she gets herself in such a state and it takes a while to get her to sleep - I have to stand by the extractor fan in the kitchen, sing to her, and then eventually i can put her in the sleepyhead. But the afternoon/evening crying is so hard, isn't it. Sending lots of hugs.

Hi all, just catching up as haven't logged on all week after what can only be described as an utterly horrendous week at work, so exhausted! Really not impressed at how much overtime I've had to do, barely keeping up with workload and getting more and more responsibility dumped on me. I tried telling my manager how overwhelmed and anxious I'm feeling about ridiculous workload but he didn't have anything to say

Anyway, at least its Friday and I left at sensible time today! just wish I could have a crisp glass of sauv blanc

Anyway, need to catch up!!

I think review blog sounds great Potato and I like the 'Grumpy Mum' name, as Irregular says you add a bit of personality to it and it definitely works! I always read reviews before making purchases.
That is ridiculous about Costa... Good news you're getting car sorted!

Good to hear you like the Bon Prix coat Leonie I still need to decide what to buy!

Sorry to hear you're still having a challenging time with OH Miley As others have said it does sound like he's struggling with the adjustment and figuring out what he's supposed to 'do'?! Sorry not to have anything more helpful to say but we're all here if you/when you need outlet to rant. Glad to hear some progress has now been made though so hopefully that won't be needed!!

Good to hear the NCT classes have been enjoyable and helpful Feefs I've booked onto ones for my due date, start in February, which is going to come round scarily fast!

Sounds like all the babies are doing so well and growing so fast! Well done all you super mums!

Lovely nursery pics May look all those adorable clothes just waiting to be worn!!

Good news on your coffee date Soda!

Hope things get moving for you soon First

I went to my first pregnancy yoga class on Monday night, really enjoyed it! Most of the other girls were quite a bit further along than me but there were a few just a few weeks ahead of me and I got chatting to one while we were doing some pair work so that was nice. Seems like a good place to meet potential mum friends! I did find it was more stretching and relaxation based than strength building based though, I am missing my pilates class... So much of that is abs work lying on our back though that I can't really go anymore. Going to the pregnancy yoga class did make me feel 'properly' pregnant too in a nerve wracking/exciting way! I've also stopped wearing loose fitting clothes to work and have been embracing my little bump! Eek!

We have first meeting up with DHs family this weekend since the pregnancy announcement which didn't go down well with SILs.... slightly dreading it...

may I know how you feel though - I still absolutely adore our nursery and secretly love going in there alone with Harrison to feed him. It's just me and him in the whole wide world when we're on there!

potato great news about the car! How exciting.

nev Bodhi is so ridiculously handsome 😍

I left OH alone with Harrison to go and get my hair done today. I was only away an hour and a bit and Harrison did sleep the whole time BUT OH managed. He's been amazing with him the past couple of days and I feel like I have my OH back again. I don't even want to bring up him being an arse and find out why.

Here's some love from Harrison to compensate for me being an ignorant cow. Hope you're all well! I am reading, but he is rooting and it's difficult to type when he's feeding which is just about constantly

That outfit is adorable Miley! Fingers crossed the feeling of having your OH back has returned for good now. Please don't think you've been an ignorant cow - it's good to vent.

Marmite my boss didn't have much to say about my work complaints either. I've worked more overtime than I've slept this week, and it'll carry on next week too. I'm going to charge them for a change, as it's just not on.

I borrowed a pregnancy yoga DVD, but never got to it and it feels a bit late now.. Glad you're enjoying the classes though!

Good luck with the in-laws. Hopefully they'll have warmed to the pregnancy by now!

First that's a shame on the sweep, and I can really understand you getting impatient.

I hope you've enjoyed a break with your DH Indi That's an awkward situation with him going out tomorrow night, but hopefully after a bit of a break you'll be feeling more positive about it though I'd probably be plotting OH's murder while he was out

Hope you've managed to catch up on some sleep Nev! Does the 'take a nap while baby naps' thing work to keep the tiredness down?

All the best decisions are spontaneous ones Potato! Enjoy the new car!

So after having my debit card stopped for using it online and it being flagged for fraud, which happens every year before Christmas, I've managed to buy a car seat, the carrycot for our push chair, a little cot for the bedroom, a few baby clothing bits, sheets for the cot bed and a light fixture for the nursery. And a dehumidifier a couple of days ago, which is probably what my card got stopped for. I'm going to need a second job if this keeps up 2 months tomorrow (and two paycheques) until my due date!

Oh miley Harrison is so cute! Nice to hear OH is getting back to his old ways.

First sorry about your sweep, I really hope things get moving for you soon.

Good luck with the inlaws marmite. Sounds like preg yoga was good, I can't wait to get back to the gym! I definitely think keeping active through out pregnancy has helped my recovery.

Lisa Autumn is a greedy guts too! Nighttime she's only up once which is great but in the day she's only alllowing herself 2 or 3 naps or 2 hours at the most. The other day she was awake for 5.5 hours and by the evening she was hysterical. She was a lot better yesterday though and she's currently having her morning nap while I express.

So last night me and DH left Autumn for the first time with my mum and went to the cinema to see The girl on The Train. We were only out 3 hours, I was texting my mum through out the film but it was nice to have a few hours just the 2 of us. I missed her like mad though, I never thought it would be so tough to go out for a few hours without her, I actually got emotional before we left but once I had a wine ( first wine since January) I relaxed a bit. Think my mum enjoyed having nanny duties too and it was sweet to see her have some bonding alone time.

DH has his lads night out today, I feel a lot better about it tbh. He's not a big drinker anyway so I'm sure he won't be coming back too drunk and he's on nappy duties all day tomorrow

Hope everyone is well, sorry if I've missed anyone x

Hope he gains the weight for swimming Leonie. I read your blog I like it.

Could you post a picture of the blanket arrangement nev let? Trying to work out the blanket arrangement like janu and finding info online very confusing. Bodhi looks like a proper little boy now!! Very cute.

Glad no hair falling out soda.

Glad you are doing so well canters and I that you got some positive help.

Will have to give this mush app a go once baby comes.

Bloody costa potato how frustrating. Glad you've got your new car! Sad about getting rid of your old one but I think you're right you'll have one again in no time once your business is up and running!!

Haven't done NCT marmite just did the NHS ones there was no NCT ones near where I live.

Sounds like OH is making big strides miley glad things are improving.

Glad you enjoyed the cinema indi.

Need to have a little moan, I have a very difficult sister who thankfully lives far away, very selfish, self involved and extremely emotionally manipulative. Family does an awful lot for her but everything is treated as though she is entitled to it. She treats me the worst of anyone probably because she got away with it for so long and thinks I'm a pushover. Have heard from her 2-3 times during this pregnancy all times via text/messenger and one of these conversations ended in her attacking me as I hadn't yet asked her about her life (then got a 300 word message about how she's happier than she's ever been wonderful boyfriend etc) we were about 8 messages into a conversation about what to get my dad for his birthday before this .

Anyway now she wants to come and see us in January for 3-4 days. I said yes (wouldn't deny her that) but asked end Jan/early Feb as my parents leave 3rd jan and I think me, DH and baby will then need/want a bit of time to find our rhythm. Already getting some backlash that she wants to see the baby when it's young (it'll be around 6 weeks by then) and she'll be really helpful because she's been around lots of babies ( I think this is just to emphasise I haven't but also how helpful is that for 3 days). Trying to stay strong and just said great end of jan will suit us then. But honestly really bothered by this.

Made my first hospital bag purchase today as I happened to be near Primark - giant knickers