Sept 08: They're under starters orders .... and they're off .... well, some of them!

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

I thought I'd use this title as not all of our delicious babies are on the move yet, including mine

carrie it's the 13th Sept, was thinking of making it a combined birthday party too. Can't believe it's taken me so long to get it organised. Mind you ds1 was 18 months when he was done.

Yes, only about 6 weeks till his birthday, how did that happen???? Better start looking for presents (actually what am I talking about, I know what we're getting him )

Star Yes. she will be there.
I will keep you posted. Send me positive thoughts.
Any of you live in Edimburgh?
Hopefully post a recent photo of T. We all want to see how handsome he is almost a year later.

debi what are you getting your ds for his birthday? I can't believe I haven't even thought about his present! We're having a big party (more for us parents than for him) but totally forgot about presents! Not that he would know. What do you get a 1 year old? I mean he's always gets new toys and books when I think he needs them.

Who on this thread is ttc? It seems that DH and I are sort of, but we're being very casual about it. I'm still drinking gallons of coffee (getting more sleep does not make me less tired) and not taking any folic acid. And part of me doesn't actually want it to happen for a few months because I quite like being slimmer than I've been for quite a while (bf induced weight loss has finally kicked in). Also, with my completely unreliable freelance income I have no idea how we'd save for another chunk of maternity leave. Clearly with an attitude like mine I musnt go anywhere near the ttc threads. I was desperate so obsessively desperate to get pg first time round. But now I'm more 'well it would be lovely if it happened but I'm not going to worry if it takes a while'.

DG DP and I have a very vague plan that we discussed a few weeks ago, and TBH haven't really thought about since, to try for a couple of months from August, then stop until after xmas - don't particularly want an August baby, due to high incidence of problems like dyslexia in DP's family (don't want any issues like dyslexia being ignored for years by people saying 'oh, s/he's young for the year, they'll catch up). It's a really silly paranoia, and if it takes a long time to fall pregnant I won't bother stopping next year, but while we're in the position to be able to take such decisions with no downside, we are.
Financially it wouldn't be sensible to have another one any time soon, but with me freelancing rather than having a proper job, that's not going to change any time soon, and TBH, apart from food bills, a second one won't be nearly as expensive as the first!

Potxola (and anyone else who's interested!) new pics of T on profile page.

Hopefully I love T's photos. Is that a baguette?

I was a bit shocked reading the recent posts when the realisation dawned on me that my little baby girl is going to turn 1 in a few weeks. How did that happen? And as for birthday presents, party, .... oh now you have really confused me.

digigirl I think we sort of have the same vague approach. It is not really the right time to conceive now, but it took so long last time that if it happens, fine - we'll run with that! I am working on the theory that part of the reason it took so long first time round is we were getting stressed that our carefully planned timetable was not happening, and was outside our control. So if we are consciously trying NOT to control it... oh hang on, that sounds like double reverse psychology or something... Anyway, let's just say that we are not taking any precautions, but we are NOT officially TTC either. I am not taking folic acid, still drinking lots of coffee and alcohol, etc. I am also freelancing, or more correctly in my case, out of work (I kid myself I am looking for freelancing work, but so far, nada) so I may as well have another pregnancy since there's no income to lose.

Anyhoo, I was really upset about the article in the Observer yesterday where the NCT is advising women to delay TTC until swine flu has passed. What, 2014? I'll practically be menopausal by then! I am ignoring this edict, la la la. But great if lots of other people take this advice - the maternity wards will be nice and quiet, there will be loads of places at the best schools, etc, etc! Hell, let's ALL go for it!

Wow! TTC!!! Wishing those of you who are lots of luck xx

I cant now, but would have loved to...I am really NOT sensible at all!!!!

Re: parties...on T's actual birthday I am having a family tea party at home and then on the following monday I am having the ladies and babies from baby massage class round for a little party at lunchtime.....where has the last year gone???? This time last year I was boring you all rigid with my tales of woe...irritable uterus, weeing myself on a regular basis (although, to be fair, I still do that!!) and the horrors of no sleep....

hopefully WRT your feelings after your friends birth....dont be so hard on yourself...you had a bad time and its natural to feel envious of those who dont...I still get pangs when I see bf mothers and babies and still feel envious for those who bf with no trouble at all...

Ds1 last week of school this week, so hte mayhem will REALLY start next week!

DO any of you live near scarborough/whitby/pickering way??? We are going up there in the 1st week of august and dh wnats me to suss out stuff to do with little ones...any ideas?

Have a good day ladies x

Hi becaroo. I am near Helmsley, not far from Pickering. What would you like to do? I can recommend country inns, gastro pubs, and fabulous places to go walking or pony riding!

OMG, ladies, I have not given a first birthday party a single thought! Or a present for that matter. Do they really get it when they're that little, or is it more for us parents and grandparents?

I was going to TTC right away, but then I found myself minus a job, and with DP's wages reduced by the recession, so we're not going to yet. Like DG and hopefully, I am looking for freelance work at the mo, albeit rather halfheartedly, and kind of think to myself that perhaps this would be a good time to have DD2 if I'm ever going to have one at all. On the other hand, the reduced income makes it seem madness.

I'm kind of telling myself that I'll do the job hunting in earnest come September...

Just realised that we're getting dangerously close to the end. New thread here:

The end of an amazing year

Been ttc for a few months, but given no periods yet not expecting much. On the other hand, that's why I didn't notice for 4 months last time... No flu-like tiredness or other symptoms, anyway.

[gets out test stick and plastic cup, wusses out until MrNC is home...] Plan to stop bf just after the MMR, to help periods - but so far I can't bring myself to stop his afternoon feed. I've turned into a right sentimental sausage. I've found a baggie to put his locks of hair in when we cut his fringe in the next day or two.

Had great news on Sat at friend's wedding blessing (they had marriage overseas at New Year) - she's expecting in Jan. She's worried about getting over her aversion to body functions - in particular she has an actual phobia of the word 'placenta'... she said so far that's paling to insignifccance compared to everyone going 'Congratulations, but aren't you worried about swine flu?'

My friend at the HPA who has racked up 100s of hours of overtime on swine flu recently is ttc, for what it's worth. In her limited spare time.

digi we're getting a small wheelybug. I always wanted one for ds1 but couldn't bring myself to spend £50 on one. But as ds2 will have lots of hand me down toys and clothes I thought it might be nice for him to have something a bit special for himself. There's no way ds1 will let him have his sit and ride as he still plays with it so a new one will be useful anyway.

potxola I lived in Edinburgh for 4 years, why were you asking?

Hi ponymum! Really need some ideas re; family friendly places to eat out and fun things for ds1 (6 years) and ds2 (10 months) to do.....? We are also going with my PIL so nothing too strenuous....You are lucky to live in such a beautiful place!

Have given no thought to T's present perhaps some fisher price little people stuff?...and clothes from everyone else!!!

Took T to be weighed today as other plans were cancelled and I havent taken him for 9 weeks and he was 25lbs 4oz!!! It is costing me a fortune to clothe this child!!!