First Time Frolicker Graduates...

[WhiteRoses]

...now the "Crazy Baby Ladies"!

Had the idea to start this thread because, after getting my BFP on Monday, it suddenly dawned on me that I was going to lose contact with a lot of lovely people. I feel sad every time anyone leaves (though obviously happy for you that you've got your BFP) and thought this might be a nice idea, so that we can continue to keep in touch. After all, we've been through a lot together, haven't we?!

Also, I felt a bit out of my depth on the other threads, where it seemed like most of the members had already had children. There didn't seem to be a "first-timers" thread on here. (Unless I missed it!)

So here goes!

CURRENT GRADUATES:

Trying4Baby1 - BFP 21Aug - EDD?
Kaystar - BFP 27Aug - EDD?
Pepperonipizza - BFP 12Sep - EDD?
Fulhamgirl - BFP 18Sep - EDD?
Ladyemmalou83 - BFP 13Oct - EDD?
bluesnowfalcon - BFP 14 Oct - EDD?
Spirael - BFP 7 Nov - EDD?
Curlycasper - BFP 11 Nov - EDD?
TishTosh21 - BFP ??? - EDD?
EmsieRo - BFP 16 Nov - EDD?
vix206 - BFP 8 Dec - EDD?
HypotheticalMummy - BFP 9 Dec - EDD?
Ozziegirly - BFP 16 Dec - EDD?
NovemberAli - BFP 24 Dec - EDD?
Eleanora - BFP 28 Dec - EDD?
whiteroses - BFP 11 Jan - EDD 25th Sept
hamsterlover - BFP 11 Jan - EDD?

FUTURE GRADUATES:

addie81
aly323
blueberry noo
Bunnygirl
Calyx
Capricorn76
ceebs05
chalky3
chancewouldbeafinething
chico193
CJ2007
cla ireinthecommunity
DrewsGirl
evilgiraffe
fudgecat
Hobnob
Homebound
Honeymoo
Kaloki
kkas
Mada meG
mrscinco
mumnerves
Muser
Pidgin
pixiestix
Sevans
Sky27
sparklyrainbow
Stellybelly
Worr isomHeart
YorkshireTeaDrinker
Zippys

Roses My MIL was quite matter of fact about her hysterectomy - she had a uterine prolapse and had been told for several years that she needed on, she's just always been too busy. She's had a problem with her eye recently which means she can't drive so she thought that rather than sitting at home being bored she'd go and have major abdominal surgery instead I suppose it's one way of keeping busy

Thanks for the tip on underwires - I was aware but it's nice to have people remind me. To be honest it's the underwires on my bras that are causing most of my discomfort so I think I just need to bite the bullet and switch to non-wired.

Hermya I'm so on your behalf that your mum has told everyone. I imagine you must be upset that you're not getting to tell everybody the news when you're ready. I guess that she's just excited like your MIL was but it's still annoying.

hobnob sorry you've been so ill - at least your doctor's sympathetic in signing you off work. And good luck for your scan today.

fulham is it strange seeing a foot sticking out of your belly? A girl I used to work with would love showing me feet and hands sticking out of her bump cos it would really freak me out......I think I'm just going to have to wear clothes all the time, even in the shower once I get big enough for that to happen

Yay - I got through yesterday without too much in the way of hormonal meltdowns! I felt a bit choked up by a lost child on Bondi Rescue, but I was able to keep it together my admiring the lifeguards in their tight swimmers instead! I'm starting to feel a bit nauseous in the morning/early afternoon though. Munching on breadsticks seems to help though.

I've got an appointment with the GP tomorrow. I'll only be 5 weeks so it seems really early, but we've decided that as our private health insurance will cover the birth we'll ease the strain on Medicare and go to a private hospital. And they have double beds so DH can stay after the birth...I don't see why he should get to go home for a good night's sleep when I will have done all of the hard work I can choose my own obstetrician, but if you don't book in by 6-7 weeks all of the good ones are gone. Not that I really know what makes a good ob - small hands perhaps?!

DH was very excited yesterday as he told his first white lie to someone yesterday about me being pg - one of his friends from home has was messaging him and asked if we had any baby news yet. DH was very proud of himself for not letting on - I think it makes it more exciting having a secret to keep.

bunnygirl I buy bras from Myer - I've got a Berlei one (I think) - they're not as cheap as M&S but they seem to have a good selection. I am still in underwire though as I tried non underwired and it just looked awful.

I am 14E (34D in UK size) though so pretty big boobs which need all the help they can get.

But M&S do deliver over here by the way....I still get all my knickers and vests and things like that from M&S!

hobnob you poor thing, but sounds good to be able to have some proper rest and not have to worry about vomming at work.

Morning Frolickers!

Bunny - your MIL sounds like a legend! Who wants to sit around the house bored for weeks on end?! Me!!!!

Hermya - Grrr!! I know that they are all excited, but so are you, and its your reward for all this sickness and discomfort to get to tell everybody!! I would be fuming. My Mum has nearly let slip to people on a few occasions, but by some miracle has managed to bite her tongue. I can't wait until I feel confident enough to shout it from the rooftops!

Ozzie - I'm with you on the underwired bras - I just cant bring myself to have my boobs flopping about down on my chest! I'm making sure that nothing is digging in to me, and convincing myself that that is enough. [guilty]

Casper - I have bump envy!! You look properly pregnant, how exciting!

Roses - I can't believe that you are 14 weeks already. I remember reading a post of yours about being 8+5 and thinking [whinge] Ooooh, I wish I was that far along!!!

Spirael - Very good idea about the will. I was reading a thread about getting life insurance the other day, and thought that that was probably something I should do as well. Its all very grown up, isn't it?!

HobNob - Beige food, oh I know that feeling so well! Toast, noodles, hula hoops, mini cheddars! Although I have recently started on the orange food as well - Jamaica ginger cake, beans on toast. DH is starting to go a little bit mad with the blandness of it all - I had to buy him a jalfrezi the other day, I felt so sorry for him!!
Good luck with your scan this evening.

I felt really cross with one of my friends this morning - I was feeling really sick at my desk and trying my best not to vom everywhere. When I had composed myself she came up and asked "Are you pregnant then?!!" Grr, I know she was trying to be kind, but if I wanted to tell her then I would. If I'm keeping quiet then it is for a reason, and I will tell her in due course. And I don't want to be put in the position of lying about my LO - it feels like bad karma! Grrr! I know IABU but I felt really miffed about it - probably just the hormones raging!

MS shows no signs of letting up - ladies who are a bit ahead of me - ie 13-odd weeks, give me some hope that I will move on to the next phase soon!!!!

I had MS and by 13 weeks I felt almost back to my normal self, pixie. A bit tired, but the MS was completely gone. Not sure exactly where you are timing wise, but my MS and tiredness peaked at around 9-10 weeks then started easing off soon after.

From around 20 weeks I've actually felt pretty good. Once that darn cold eased up, I've had a burst of energy back. My skin has cleared up too and I think I actually look pregnant now instead of fat, so it's all good at the moment.

I'm sure it won't be long though until I'm starting to feel heavy and tired again though. It's already becoming a bit of a struggle to walk distances that wouldn't have phased me before. But then I have gained around a stone in weight so far. I'm hoping that's pretty normal.

Evening all!! I swear I went from nought to sobbing in loo withing six minutes of getting into work this morning. I got a snotty email from my supervisor, I really don't get what his problem was. He was really off with me, I'll see him tomorrow. I'm hoping he's got over himself before then. But, it set me off this morning and it took me over three hours this morning to pull myself together. Blinking hormones!!!

On the plus side though, one of my colleages was brilliant with me. His girlfriend had a baby four months ago (cutest thing in the world) and I think he still remembers what his other half went through. So he was very nice and made me a cup of tea and made sure I wasn't too distressed.

Ozzie I can't stand those soft bras, I think I'm going to end up being a bit rebellious and end up wearing underwires most of the time.

Bunny Thats crazy that you've got to pick a Doctor. Do you give them a written and a practical interview when you meet them. Score them on how cold their hands are??

Pixie Your Mum has control, I would love my relatives to have that. You're right though, it is (well now was haha) my reward for feeling like crap for three months. Grrrr!! Oh well, c'est la vie!!!

ozzie and hermya I heard that wearing underwired bras is fine as long as they fit properly. You can measure yourself if you have a bendy tape measure or ask DP/DH to lend a hand. Google bra measuring or something and it tells you how to do it, then go shopping (which is always fun!)

Aww, Spireal, you shouldn't dodge the photos! I love some of the photos of my mum when she was pregnant with me - your LO will be the same! And you can always keep them locked away if you don't want people seeing them in the meantime!

Interesting about the will... DH and I had a half-hearted, all very hypothetical discussion a year or two ago now about all of that, and if we had children, and the worst were to happen to us, who we'd want to bring them up. Ended up totally disagreeing, in that I'd want my parents, and he'd want his brother and his fiancee. Can understand his argument - that my parents aren't getting any younger - but then we only see his brother maybe once or twice a year, if that, and I know for a fact that my parents will be a lot more involved in our children's lives. Plus I know for a fact that they're very good at bringing up children. BIL and SIL-to-be have no experience at all... But then neither do DH or I... I dunno... It's a horribly difficult thing to think about, isn't it?

Hobnob - sorry to hear you've been feeling so rubbish. Hope the rest does you good. And hope your scan went well too! I'm sure no matter how bad the sickness was today, the scan made it all seem worthwhile! Is that you twelve weeks now then? I didn't think you were so close behind me (I'm 14wks today) but then my dates have changed twice now!

Lol! Curly's poor DAUGHTER! Hobnob and Hermya! Really!

Hermya - I'm sorry to hear that about your mum - how awful for you. But I'm glad you've made up your mind now. For what it's worth, I think you're doing the right thing. It'd be a shame for you and DH not to know just because other people are so useless! Good for you!

Bunny - that's good about your MIL not being bothered. Suppose everyone's different. Good on her!

That sounds so nice about the double beds! I want that! Lol!

Lol Pixie - you're not far behind me at all! Won't be long till you ARE shouting it from the rooftops and till the MS is gone!

I've had quite a good day all round today... Wore maternity trousers (that my lovely mummy bought for me yesterday) and they were SOOOO comfortable! I couldn't believe it! I don't know if they're partly responsible too, for the fact that I've not been sick today either (just mildly queasy). No waistband digging in... Also, my belly seems to stick out more with them on too, cause I'm not squishing myself in, and when I walked into work, my boss immediately started laughing and said "Oh my gosh, Roses, you actually have a proper little bump!" (I suppose I can see why some people make take offence over that but with the way it was said, and knowing her like I do, it was fine!)

Anyway... Dinner time... Better go and eat some beige... (Totally hadn't thought of it that way before! Lol!)

bunny you're in Sydney aren't you? I have heard good things about the Royal North Shore Private hospital. A couple of friends had their babies there said it was great. I can't remember which Obs they had though.

I had an appointment with mine last night, first one in 7 weeks. All is well, heard a strong heartbeat and I have put on a neat 4lbs which is pleasing. Apart from that we were in and out in 20 minutes as everything is fine. Have my main scan in 4 weeks which will be good. I think we're going to start the shopping etc after that.

Whiteroses I keep trying to discuss with DH what we do about things like guardians and also godparents. Basically, we live in Oz, but all our family and close friends are in the UK. We've only been here 2 years so not really long enough to make proper close friends.

And we also don't know if we are planning on staying in Australia forever. So my thought was when we go back to the UK for a holiday in March 2011, we get the baby baptised then, and choose friends and DH's brother to be godparents.

But does this seem madness if we end up staying here for another 5 years??

I don't even know if it's possible to get a baby baptised if you don't live in the country, but there's no one here who I would choose to do an important role like being a godparent, and also I just think doing a baptism with no family around seems rather depressing!

ozzie thanks for the tip.

I really want to stay in underwired bras as I am relatively blessed in the chest department and they need some support. The problem is that my boobs seem to be growing out at the sides, right where the wires go and that seems to be contributing to the soreness. Maybe I'll get some non-wired for now and then see how they feel in a few weeks.

spirael making a will is very grown up. Probably something we should be thinking about too.

And don't hide from photos - you might want ot remember your bump in all its glory once you've had the baby and you've got tight abs again. My friend's DH took a picture of her from the side every week during her pregnancy and she really likes looking back at how she changed over that time - even though she felt fat and unattractive when they were taken.

pixie my MIL makes the strangest decisions sometimes - that's all part of why we love her though I'm glad to hear you're able to move from beige food to orange!

hermya are you trying to steal your most hormonal crown back from me?! I'm dreading going to work next week for fear of bursting into tears.

I have no idea how I'm going to chose a doctor - hopefully the GP will make a recommendation. If not I'll probably choose the one who's practice is easiest for me to get to.

roses it must be nice being in maternity clothes and having people notice your bump.

Am having second thoughts about DH staying in hospital with me after I woke up at 5am and had no chance of getting back to sleep due to his snoring. Might be worth staying on my own for some peace and quiet

I spoke to my mum this morning - she did ask if I had any news but I decided to keep quiet. I am unbelievably nervous about telling her as I know she'll be a bit upset that we're so far away. I also know she'll worry about me and be calling me every 30 seconds, so I think I'll wait until I've had a scan and got proof that there's an actual baby in there before I tell her.

I'm still slightly worried that it's all a big mistake and the doctor won't find anything in there!

Well ladies, I am now offically a pregnant person. Went to the docs this morning and I was really happy with her reaction. Had gone in expected not very much after everybody elses experiences of uninterested GPs.

I actually think she was more excited than me about it She spent the whole appointment congratulating me and then rewarded me by taking 4 vials of blood so now I have a big bruise They just rang with my HCG results and they are as expected so am officially actually pg

Made an appointment with an ob as well - I decided to use the fact that she's female as my selection criteria. Not getting seen for another 6 weeks though - which is late by her standards but DH couldn't come to the earlier appointment I was offered.

Bunny - I got cheapy maternity bras (nursing bras) from Big W, as I am a cheapskate (!). They were about $15 each I think. They're not underwired, and do make your boobs look a bit floppy, but I decided I could live with it as they are much comfier. Underwired were definatley digging in by about 10 weeks or so. Only negative point is that sizes in Big W only seem to go up to DD, which I have now surpassed so after much searching and only finding really expensive bras, I ordered from Blooming Marvellous and ASOS maternity, along with a load of other maternity clothes. I have been really pleased with them - the Emma Jane ones, about £15 each and will hopefully last whilst I'm breast feeding too.

White - thanks for updating the list with boy for me. Last time I did it I messed it up and then it got dropped off - I was too scared to it back on there myself!

I have been away for a little break, a long weekend. We went up the coast to a nice hotel with a spa and I had a pregnancy massage and treatment, which was amazing. Very relaxing and lovely. Now I am ready to finish work!! Have another 8 weeks to go though, I'm jealous of you finishing so soon Fulham!!

Hope you're all well, so exciting to hear about the upcoming scans. Make sure you post pics won't you?

Bumps - Mine was frustratingly slow to show, but now it's going great guns!! I have to admit, I do love it

Weeellll... I might be slightly more receptive to photography now that my skin doesn't look like I'm reverting to teenage years and I have more of a bump than a spare tyre! However my Mum never really had any pics taken of her when she was pregnant, so I've never seen what I looked like, pre-birth. To be honest, I can't say I've missed it that much.

I'll probably hold off until the wedding I'm attending in May though and maybe get someone to take a couple of pics then, after I've had chance to make myself look reasonably acceptable. I'll have to go and dig out my war-paint from the bottom drawer, I think. Then I can put at least one pre-birth pic in the baby's album, in case Gadget is interested.

Ozziegirly, I know what you mean about the problems with organising Baptism/Christening and Godparents! It's becoming a bit of a nightmare here.

DH and I are at least 100 miles from all of our relatives - double that for most of mine. We're involved in a couple of religious communities here, but neither is the 'right' branch for our families. So it looks like we'll be trying to organise the things for down near where my Nana is, as it's a more central location and I have family there with close ties to an appropriate Church.

As far as I'm aware, it's fine to have the Baptism/Christening done at a Church where you have family with ties to the community, rather than being tied there yourself. So if you have family over in the UK who attend Church then you should be able to go through them.

As for Godparents... DH and I are going down the path of having two of the same gender and one of the opposite for the LO, one of which has to be of the 'right' religious branch for the ceremony to take place. Since we're in the process of moving to Canada (hopefully permanently) we're in a bit of a bind over who we choose. We have some close friends in Canada where we intend to end up, but there's always the possibility things might not go to plan. However if we pick friends here, then what's to say they'll remain in touch? It's awkward.

Even more awkward is the fact that I don't want my DBro to be a Godparent for a variety of reasons. Firstly because he's already an Uncle and secondly because he can't remember my married name (I've been married five years...) and has completely missed DH's birthday for the last two years despite pointed reminders. I'm not convinced he'd remember my LO's name or birthday, let alone that he's meant to be guiding spiritual development!

The awkward part comes from the fact that my Mum is adament that my DBro is perfection itself and got horribly offended when I mentioned I wasn't intending on choosing him as a Godparent - she seemed to think it was a given. We've not spoken about it recently, but last time it resulted in an argument that left me in tears for several hours. Bah, hormones!

Anyway, a bit of a long rambly post. But yes... The Baptism/Christening seems to be almost as a much hassle to organise as the Wedding was! Though hopefully less expensive.

bunny the reason they are growing sideways is because that is where your milk glands are developing. It takes a while to get used to the non-wired (ok i admit i am not huge only C) but i have to say it is like wearing a a nice pillow compared to having wires digging into you! Try and get a t-shirt bra so that the fabric is thicker and will give a bit of extra support. But make sure you do, get a non wired or a bigger wired, otherwise it can effect how your milk will or not develop(...sorry if that sounds scary). Go to myer they will give you a fitting. oh BTW believe it- there is a baby in there!

ozzie who is the most active church goer in your family? Get that person to go and speak to their church for you, and i am sure they will let you do it here. not sure what religion you are? but usually the catholics just make you see the priest before and of course make a nice donation, that always helps!

roses The whole will, guardian, godparent question is a controversial one. I am lucky (if i can say that) that DH family are not religious and therefore can not be picked as godparents, but then my family is huge and I am godparent to 3 of my nephews...so i have to pick from my family the question is who. I need to make sure I know before we get back to sydney.

Hermya Sorry you are having a hard time keeping it together at work, sounds like you have some lovely people who are keeping an eye on you though

pixie hope you are feeling better soon, all he books i have read say it starts to get better from 14 weeks...you are almost there!

well news from me - i have been on bed rest for the past few days, I have had major cramps, which have been scaring the crap out of me. MW said do not move unless you have to, but keep positive as no spotting ...yet. So i am moving only from bed-lounge-loo and that is it. work can go screw itself...i really dont care right now.
MIL had her results back yesterday and it is cancer, she is going to have her op next week, which is really good because they caught it early and they are not wasting any time getting it out. DH obviously upset, he thinks his whole family is falling apart at the moment...we sort of are.

hope everyone else is doing better than us right now xxxx

I found out today that my friend who had a mmc a few weeks ago has been diagnosed with having a molar pregnancy. I feel so bad for her, it's awful. She's really going through the mill at the moment. Before all this happened we were going to go and surprise them with news that we were going to be parents around about the same time. Gosh, I don't think I'll be telling her for a while tbh. I don't want it to seem like we're rubbing salt in the wound so to speak. I'm defo not mentioning anything on facebook now.

It really puts things in perspective though doesn't it. We get so worried in pregnancy and often everything is fine.

I went to see the nurse this morning as I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed what with DH job, my job and various other bits and pieces. I've been waking up in the middle of the night, not sleeping well and just basically feeling very off kilter.

She was about as useful as a chocolate fireguard and told me that I was pregnant not ill. Which is true, but sometimes all you need is a nice let down rather than a slap in the face with a wet haddock.

I went to a local coffee shop and had a good old cry in the loo. I then gave myself a good talking to on the way home and have decided that if I'm still feeling like this in another couple of weeks, that I'll go back and hopefully get something done about it.

Curly Sorry!!! I blame the hormones.

Bunny I'll share it with you, you can have it every other day and on Sundays you can have it in the morning and I'll have it in the afternoons or we could make another one? Which is easiest for you? OOO well done on being OFFICIALLY pregnant. I got all official when I had my early scan. It's fab isn't it.

Spirael What sort of religous communitys are you involved with? If you don't mind me asking that is.

Roses Thanks for that, I'm happy with what I decided and tbh I think it'll be best all round. Me and DH had a vague discussion regarding wills and the like and I have made some enquiries into it and it did confuse me a little. I'm going to try and tackle it again later on today.

Chance Oh I am sorry that you're going through this at the moment. I hope things get better for all of you soon.

Ozzie When it comes to the whole baptism/christening thing. Me and DH are going for a dedication at our church which basically means we stand in front of our church and agree to raise and teach our child in the ways of God. We don't have God parents with that process, rather the whole church stand up and agree that they'll help out and reinforce what we're trying to teach our child. The only thing is, this way will not mesh well with my Mum's side of things. I was raised Catholic and I totally rebelled and went towards the more pentecostal side of things. It'll be like my wedding all over again. I'll get phone calls from my Aunts and Uncles (who I haven't spoken to in some years) telling me that I should be doing X, Y and Z and how I shamed the family name. We shall see about that one.

Mind you my Mum rebelled big style as well so I can see where I get it from. I love my Mum.

Lol Ozzie - it's amazing how complicated it all is, isn't it?! I wouldn't have thought they'd stop you baptising your baby in the UK... I don't know much about it, mind you, but it seems silly if that's where your families and friends are based...

Bunny - it was nice having my "bump" noticed, but to be honest, I think she'd be one of the few people who would notice it, and only because she knows I'm pregnant. To most people, I just look fat. Even DH says that while I do look different, I don't look THAT different.

Great news about your doctor too! So have you any idea when you're getting a scan? Six weeks must seem ages away but it's great that you'll have DH there.

Pepperoni - your break away sounds lovely. DH and I have a few days away booked over Easter and I'm absolutely living for it. It's nothing fancy. It was just a good deal we got months ago, down in the Lake District, and it'll probably rain the whole time we're there, but I REALLY don't care! The thoughts of having time like that, just spending all day doing whatever we want... Great!

Spireal - glad you're going not going to continue dodging photos.

See, neither DH or I are at all religious (am I the only one on this thread who isn't?! ), so we won't have a christening/baptism to organise. To be honest, I don't know if I'd be up to it! As you say, hormones...

Chance - sorry to hear about MIL but as you say, very good that they're dealing with it like they are. As for your cramps... Very scary but you are doing the right thing, resting. Your attitude towards work is quite right - there's nothing as important as you and your LO right now. x

White Ooooo which part of the lake district are you off to?

Sorry Hermya - cross post. That's dreaful about your friend. I can understand you feeling guilty... I have a friend who had a miscarriage over a year ago and has been TTC ever since, with no luck... It wasn't nice telling her my news...

Ugh, I'm sorry about the nurse... At least you know you can come on here and talk things out with us though, hopefully till you feel a little bit better. x

Pixie - meant to say, fourteen weeks yesterday and I'm not wanting to count my chickens, but this is the third day in a row that I've felt like me, in terms of not being as tired. I didn't have a nap on Tues or Wed (thought I was in bed by 9:30pm - but that's a huge improvement!) and this morning (have today off work), I woke up at 8am and couldn't get back to sleep! So here's hoping that this IS the start of feeling better. I'm still queasy, but (again, not counting chickens!) I think I might be feeling a bit better. Not to say I didn't throw up this morning (I did) but I was about two hours late eating breakfast, so am hoping that had something to do with it... I wasn't sick at all yesterday. REALLY hoping. Anyway, the tireness (lack of) is brilliant! (Have I instilled some hope in you?!)

Hehe! Another cross post, Hermya! Are you trying to keep me away from my housework?! (I'm not complaining!)

I'm not actually sure where we're going exactly . I just know it's somewhere in the middle-ish. But we're bringing the car, so plan to travel about a bit. Might even drive over to the Dales one day - think that's only about an hour and a half away... Do you know the Lakes well? Have you any recommendations?

White Yeah this thread has been so helpful, it's nice to be able to pop on here and share with others. I don't feel so alone in this whole pregnancy malarky.

I do know the lakes quite well. Urmm as to recomendations, the Gingerbread in Grasmere is always worth a visit. Even if it's for the sheer novelty value. The cruises that go up and down Ulswater and Lake Windermere are nice (if a little expensive). But seriously seriously seriously you must try the Lakes Ice cream. I've had the thunder and lightening stuff and it's just beautiful and you can get it from most places. Also because the Lakes has a strong connection to Beatrix Potter, there's a little baby shop near to the Beatrix Potter visitors centre (which is good if you want a laugh) which has lots of lovely cute Peter Rabbit baby stuff. Some of it is reasonable, some not. But it's worth a look just to swoon over.

I many it sound a lot more exciting and interesting than it is really, Hermya. One side of my family are all Roman Catholic but where I live I'm part of a Scout Troop connected to a Church of England parish and have a friend whose father is a Vicar at an Anglican Church. So basically in my area I could have relatively easily organised a Church of England or Anglican Baptism, but not a Roman Catholic one.

And you're not the only unreligious one, WhiteRoses. Despite my various connections, I wouldn't actually say I'm religious myself. I was raised quite strictly Roman Catholic and taken to church every week until I was 16... Then I got to make my own choice and have rarely darkened the door of a church since.

DH and his family are all 'officially' Roman Catholic (having been Christened) but none of them frequent church and mostly consider themselves Agnostic. My Dad and his side of the family are mostly Athiest, it's my Mum and her side that are Roman Catholic.

The Agnostics and Athiests don't really give a monkeys either way, but the Roman Catholics would get a bit upset if LO wasn't Christened, I think. So, in an effort to keep the peace, we're going down the line of getting LO Christened as Roman Catholic.

Besides, there's nothing to say the LO can't completely ignore that fact later on and follow whatever religion (if any) they want! DH and I certainly won't mind.

Anyway... At least wills were a lot easier to sort. DH and I unanimously agreed to name my parents as the guardians for the immediate future, should anything happen to us. My parents agreed to this without any issues.

However everyone is aware that five years or so down the line, everything might change. DH and my respective siblings aren't quite settled enough yet for us to be happy to drop a child on, but in a few more years they might well be. And, well, my parents won't be getting any younger and by then will be wanting to retire in peace, I would think!

WhiteRoses, make sure to stop at the huge Lakeland store in Windermere for some household shopping, if that's your kind of thing. It's a fantastic place, and the restaurant there is pretty good too!

Also, if you like cheese, then take a day trip out to Hawes. There's the Wensleydale creamery there which has a small museum and a working factory to look round, as well as a nice little shop and a fantastic Cheese restaurant! Some gorgeous scenery in the area too, it's lovely driving across the moors.

I might possibly be a bit food obsessed in this post. In my defence, it's nearly lunchtime and I'm staaaarving!

Thanks for those recommendations, Hermya and Spireal. And lol at your food obsession, Spireal! I've made a note of those places though, and will Google them nearer the time.

Spireal - sounds like you have it right, not upsetting anyone! Luckily, I don't think even the religious members of our families would expect anything from us, so there's no pressure! I think we've been written off as a lost cause! Lol!

chance sorry to hear about your MILs diagnosis - at least they've caught it early so her treatment should be successful. I hope you're managing to get lots of rest at home and your cramps are getting better.

ozzie I missed your post about hospitals yesterday - but as it happens I am booked into North Shore Private. I've seen good reports of it and it's not too far away for us to get to in a hurry.

That said, we will have to get over the harbour bridge, which could be a challenge. DH has problems getting in the correct lane on it at the best of times so goodness knows how he'll manage if I'm in labour.

roses I get a dating scan at the booking in appointment - that's the reason I was so keen for DH to be able to be there.

pepperoni thanks for the tip about Big W - unfortunately I'm a DD already, so might not get much wear out of them!

Hermya sorry to hear your nurse wasn't more sympathetic. At least you can come and have a rant on here. Like your church we have dedications rather than baptism for babies - I'm quite glad in a way that we won't have to choose godparents!

I told my MIL that I'm pg - she was incredibly excited, but I'm pretty certain that she's going to have told the whole world in about 5 minutes time. I did say that it's very early and I don't want any one else knowing until I've reached 12 weeks, but I don't think she paid much attention. At least with us being so far away I won't have to face any of the people she's told if it does all go wrong.

I haven't told my own mum yet - to be honest I think she'll be quite upset that her first gradnchild will be on the other side of the world. When we've talked about me having babies she's always assumed that we'd be waiting until we've moved back to the UK (which we may not even do) and I've never tried to correct her. Now I feel like she'll be upset that we misled her. She worries about me alot too, and I find it quite suffocating at times, so I think I'll wait to tell her until I'm further along and she has less to worry about. But then I feel guilty that MIL knows and she doesn't

Wow, loads of posts to catch up on. Firstly, thanks for your thoughts on baptisms etc. My MIL is the active churchgoer and she is a Catholic. DH is catholic too but not really practising, although he is a believer. I am C of E, again, a believer but not particularly a chuchgoer.

Apart from BIL, none of my friends are catholic though, which would rule them out of being a godparent!

Tricky.

My best friend is the one I would like to be a godparent as she is a regular C of E churchgoer, and would just be brilliant, and would also be thrilled to be asked.

I haven't raised it with DH yet but I actually may see if her and her DH would be guardians for our baby if anything happened to us, as I know what an excellent Mum she is. I think DH will want his brother and wife though, which I won't have a problem with.

bunny that's good news about the hospital - I know what you mean about the harbour bridge though!

whiteroses good to hear that you are starting to feel better now.

Hermya so sorry to hear about your friend, and also that the nurse was mean to you. A good cry and then a talking to often helps!

Although, gosh, I haven't cried in a week! Impressive as for a while I was crying every day.

Oh no, I'm wrong actally, I had a few tears yesterday at the Daily Mail for god's sake when Sandra Howard was talking about the birth of her grandson.

Bunny - oooh, how lovely, NS Private. I hear really good things about it. I am at North Shore too, but only the public hospital (no antenatal cover on my private health insurance). Still, I'm shared care and my GP is lovely, so I've felt really supported so far. For the bridge, just get your DH to write 'Crows Nest' on a post it note and stick it on the dashboard somewhere!!

Happy Friday eve to all of us in Oz, happy Friday day to everyone is the beautiful UK - hope your Friday eve comes around nice and quick. I am exhausted and am waiting for my fish and chips to arrive back with DP, then it will be a bit of TV and bed for me!!