Keith's BPG II

[KittyKatSmile]

@AliciaWhiskers @CornishMaid1 @Ginandtonic31 @Cauliflower82 @Welshpugmomma @Mrbay @Zest11 @RRoonilWazlib @Weenumpty

Hope this works xx

@KittyKatSmile yes, I saw that! Thanks for the reminder, I've been meaning to have a read of it and had forgotten! Loving that you have been knitting for England

@Mrbay awh, that is lovely my friends don't live locally to me so I have only seen them all once since giving birth - because of lockdown we obviously haven't been able to travel to see them!

I'd love to hear how everyone else is doing!

@Zest11 it sounds like you’re going to have a big boy on your hands ☺️. We’ve seen my brother a lot since the relaxed rules but social distancing of course. Sometimes I wonder if I’m being paranoid as other babies on the street now are getting hugs from their grandparents but I’ve always been a rule follower 😂

@RRoonilWazlib I truly think you’re an inspiration and I loved the pictures of the two daddies with their baby 💕

@Mrbay how is your dog doing? We’re all definitely a forum of dog lovers. I remember downregging taking forever for me too, over six weeks in total - when it finally came I was SO happy! But cranky. Cranky and happy.

I have the weirdest postnatal issue - sore thumbs. Anyone else? Like, they’re hideously sore. My little trooper is still quite small too - I’m going to have to muscle up for when he gets real big 😬

Could be this cauliflower82 www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/de-quervains-tenosynovitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371332
Very common with new mums. X

@Cauliflower82 awh thank you I cannot wait to see them all!

Down regging is going well, period turned up a lot earlier this time but just as painful but I didn't check if my pain meds were allowed so I've not been the nicest person this weekend!
No low moods but sooooo tired!

Baseline scan on Wednesday so if everything is ok, I'll start stimms on the same day - it feels like its going so quickly this time!

@Cauliflower82 - my little microdor (she is absolutely tiny compared to the other labs! she's 50cm at the shoulder and the others are 55/56cm! she's a good few kilos lighter too!) is turning out to be a little super star, still haven't got her lead work perfect, she's lovely off the lead. Hows your pup?

Hi ladies, so lovely to catch up with your posts and to hear how you are all doing :)

@Zest11 not long now right? Don't worry, big babies rule ;) of course I would say that.... re phrase that all babies are gifts !!

I received the most beautiful gift today! Thank you@KittyKatSmile I couldn't believe it you really are talented! Will post when I dress him tomorrow :)BTW in Kayleigh!

Sleeping is going well like you guys! I am amazed he's been so good! I put him down at 7:30 dream feed at 10:30 and then he sleeps till 7 normally, amazing! Still breastfeeding... looking forward to a couple of months and then start introducing foods need to get me some wean in 15 over here ;)
Also started using cloth nappies about a month ago which is going well I do think being on lockdown has made things a little easier especially with a bit of support from hubs.

Honestly it's like covid never happened here people partying all weekend, everything open almost anyway. We even had our first little swim in the pool today! @Ginandtonic31 I don't think you'll have any problem when you're here but who knows about how travel to and from uk is going to pan out...

Anyway biggest news here is that me and josiah are moving back maybe end of next month hubs will try and come back and forth once things have settled, he's had to take 2 pay cuts and the cost of living is extortionate here just makes more sense to come back and hopefully next year he can negotiate being uk based. I can't wait for baba to have those family cuddles.

Mr Bay so glad you could start again now all the best :)

@RRoonilWazlib lovely update glad to hear your labor went well and your friends got the loveliest gift of all!

@Mrbay she was five the other day! She might be five but she’s still very much a puppy - always playing and getting into mischief. Best of luck for tomorrow with baseline scan ☺️ I hope it all goes well and you can start stimming soon.

@Welshpugmomma I desperately need some help from you people - sleep here is not good at all ☹️ 😭 the other night I had 45 minutes. With husband at work now too it’s me all day every day - I’m exhausted and lack of sleep is really affecting me. When I get it I’m great but it’s hard with no help and Pip only really napping on me during the day. I’m very much a paranoid sleeper, always putting glasses on to check Pip is okay.

Our pup is 5 too next week, he deserves a big cake for all the change recently!

@Cauliflower82 aw hun I don't think I could survive with such little sleep! My monitor detects roll over and face cover which gives me a lot of peace. I've done the nights from beginning too does he sleep much in the day? Josiah only has maybe 2 maps in morning and one in afternoon lucky if any of them more than 40mins, I would say having a routine in the evening helps, and the biggest thing I learnt a few week ago was to feed change play sleep ... as opposed to play feed sleep change. This way he's getting tired before nap ... Anyway that's my two pence you'll find what works for you soon im sure! good on you with the pumping I find it hard to pump any extra now unless I've missed a few(if hubs has given a frozen bottle) so my stash is depleting quickly and then how will I have my little drink on the weekend :[

@welshpugmomma thank you ☺️ can I ask what the name of your monitor is? I have an angel care movement one (two actually 😂😂😂😂😂, don’t ask) and it’s okay but I’m never entirely reassured if I’m honest. Pip naps loads but rarely in his cot or basket - I’ve become so reliant on husband always been there that we’ve formed bad habits. Before we’d move get a good block of sleep, usually six to eight hours when the other took on Pip duties. I’ve downloaded the huckleberry app too but only just yesterday.?

Oops accidentally pressed send - thank you for your help ☺️ You’re right - I need a good routine in the evening!

We've got cubo ai :) they've had a couple issues with the app but all sorted now- its a start up, hoping it will work ok when we come back:) not heard of huckleberry will have to have a look!

@Cauliflower82 yikes that sounds painful. Second @Welshpugmomma's routine of eat, change, play, sleep which I took a while to get into. If you can stand it, you could also do a few days of self soothing where you put him in his cot or basket until he falls asleep. It shouldn't take longer than 20mns and he's likely to crescendo 3 times before he drops off (knowing this was very helpful for me as wherever I read it said that people tend to give up after 2 crescendos). If he's really distressed pick him up and give him a quick cuddle and then put him back. I did this a while ago and haven't looked back. Yes it's tough for a few days but worth it. I then sort of repeated the same with getting her to sleep in her bed at night and not on me. Although I should say I strongly believe I've just been lucky with the baby I've got...

@Welshpugmomma you're coming home!! I'm so pleased for you. Hope you all feel ok with the decision. You're so welcome on the knitwear front! I felt very strange not knowing your name!!

@Mrbay glad to hear things are progressing well for you. Fingers crossed for you xx

@KittyKatSmile omg I've just realised in the manic of everything I never sent you my address. I feel so bad. I'm so so sorry! 😞

@Welshpugmomma how do you feel about coming home? I still don't think we will be heading over there this year now. Hopefully next mag though. 🤞

@Cauliflower82 it must be tough with little sleep. I feel like a bad mum as we have no monitor and I just go to sleep 😳 if I wake in the night I put my hand on her chest to check her breathing then go back to sleep.

We have absolutely no routine at all! She's usually asleep by 10.30 (although I admit she falls asleep on my OH straight after her feed when he's keeping her upright due to reflux and then we put her down. Sometimes she wakes up but if it's dark and she's in her cot she knows to sleep) but she's sleeping in until gone 10. I've started making her get up at 10 now as on Sunday morning she slept in until 11! And then that night she didn't go to sleep until 1.30am! I'm just not putting any pressure on myself for a routine though. I'm just hoping she pulls her bedtime forward herself which will result in her getting up earlier then. Nap wise again no routine. I just let her lead as I know her tired noises now. I know a couple of hours after being up she's probably ready for a nap. She will either soothe herself on her playmat to sleep but 9 times out of 10 we just pick her up and nurse her then put her down in the pram (again probably making a rod for our own back) but that first nap we get about an hour (my workout time) then she normally has an afternoon nap and an evening nap. I we are probably doing it all completely wrong. There's so much mixed info. I'm trying not to worry until 6 months when she's in her own room. Then if she hasn't given herself a routine I will try and get her in one ready for nursery next year.

@Mrbay so glad you're not feeling too bad!!

As promised little update of our man with his beautiful cardi! Plenty of growing room which will be great as in suite it'll get lots of use when we're back especially!

Honestly I'm very happy to come back is a little bit of a stress sorting out shipping but our plan was only for a few years anyway and now this has brought it forward and hopefully at the same time given dh role a bit more clarity in what he'll be doing in the future :) will not miss the humidity here, it basically means i can't go it with josiah more than 40 mins as it's just excruciatingly hot for him doesn't complain but I just don't want to risk heat stroke or something!

@Ginandtonic31 sounds like your a bit of a night owl as much as I hate waking at 7 I love going to bed at like 10ish anyway so it works for us :)

Hey girls!

Thanks for the well wishes, stims started today so we are on track for a w/c 22/6

Loving the baby chat, which 12 months ago would have been upsetting but now I'm at peace with whatever outcome has been selected for me as truly believe what is meant to be for you, happens.

Sorry I didn't even say @Welshpugmomma - he looks so happy and cute!! I love the cardi @KittyKatSmile - you're so talented

@KittyKatSmile that is an amazing cardi!

@Welshpugmomma oh my goodness, he's adorable!! And he wears that knitwear so well!!

@Ginandtonic31 I've still got something for Georgie and I think i may have made it quite big. PM me your address if you want to and I'll send it over!

@Mrbay I'm thinking of you lots and although I don't really believe in positive vibes, I'm sending them to you just in case they work!!

I'm so sorry @KittyKatSmile I will message you now. Although she is a beast. Not like your little petite girlie!

@KittyKatSmile - thank you! I feel like I'm getting through this a little to easily, just a little tired and bloated but not overly angry this time - I'll report back later when the stimms have ruined my brain!

Ahh it is so so lovely to read all of your updates.

@RRoonilWazlib nice to have you back! I watched a programme a few months ago called The Baby Has Landed on BBC and it made me think of you as there was a surrogate on there. So glad to hear you are doing well.

@Cauliflower82 so glad you are getting to see your family. I know what you mean about the rules, I am a stringent follower too, I think I would be like you! Safety is the most important!

@mrbay I am glad you have been able to start stimming. I remember this bit going so quickly! A nice fresh batch of eggs brewing!

@Welshpugmomma Yes looks like a big baby is on the cards! I guess it means they won't be so wobbly for so long?? Ahh that's exciting that you are coming home. I bet your friends and family are thrilled to hear this and they will be able to meet baby josiah!

@KittyKatSmile May I ask...how do you have time for all this knitting??!! I love the piece hanging up in our wardrobe waiting to be worn. But when do you get chance to do it inbetween feeding, changing and generally nailing this mum thing whilst being a single parent? (apart from daddy Joe Wicks of course!) Much respect to you lady!

@Ginandtonic31 Ahh the routine you don't have sounds perfect to me! I know little about what to do/expect after birth but it sounds like little Georgie is one happy girl and you are one happy mama :)

Thank you for all of the advice people ☺️. @Ginandtonic31 my HV keeps telling me to ditch the monitors - I haven’t got the confidence to do it yet but I can’t wait until I do. @KittyKatSmile I’m terrible with Pip’s crying. The HV asked me the other day if he’s likely to settle on his own after five or ten minutes and I just had no idea - as soon as he cries me or my husband pick him up, rock him and he stops but we’re ultimately setting up terrible habits. We’ve just let him self soothe for ten minutes tonight - he wasn’t crying but he was restless and he did it - he put himself to sleep. As soon as I typed that, he let out a cry and opened his eyes 😭😂😭😂.
@Welshpugmomma loving the photo. I must post one of Pip’s cardi too ☺️
@zest11 how are you doing? Are you all prepared for the imminent birth? Not long now.
@Mrbay yay on to the stimming ☺️ I hope it’s going well.

@Zest11 it is funny I kind of missed out on the fragile baby stage as he was so big you almost forget they are newborn i had to tell hubs to be gentle at times because of how under developed they still are!

We haven't told everyone yet just still so much to sort out and then we have to isolate for 2 weeks when back (unless that changes sooner )fingers crossed

@cauliflower82 yes its hard to let them cry i admit very rarely in the day do I do it, at night I just go in and shush him with a hand on his chest but I don't take him out once he's in ;) I can't imagine having hv come out to the house we've just been going solo pretty much its a good job we've not had any major issues!

@mrbay ohhhh the bloating but agree its the quickest time now what with all the scans etc... your dh still with you, How's lockdown been on camp?

@KittyKatSmile I wish I had time to learn and for my hands not to hurt I... I bet tiny dancer has the best wardrobe and its not even winter yet!

@Ginandtonic31 how much is Georgie weighing at? I think there's only a few days between us. We will be super strong mamas at least, although I keep checking out my bingo wings wondering how they are still there... haha

@zest11 - it's going flying by, even down regging was fine - don't think I lost my temper once!!

@welshpugmomma - I'm not on camp, I'm too much of a home bird and not sure if I could bare to be far away from my parents. DH hasnt been based more than an hour away for the past 11/12 years, I know I'm so lucky as not a lot of armed forces wives could say that.
I bet you are excited to be returning home and I bet the grandparents are happy to have little one closer.