I don't really belong in this thread since I have 2 children and my broodiness is similar in some aspects but very different in others.. so don't really feel I have a place in here. Just wanted to stop by and say I think its a great name for a thread and a great idea. I hope you all find ways of coping with waiting. It will happen for all of you eventually and I have been in your shoes, I know its hard. Hope its a quick wait for all of you!

Thanks Brenn! I've learned a lot from my SIL already. She felt movement and kicks very early, which I must say is quite cool. Some of the stuff she says sounds way out there to me, like animals are attracted to pregnant women. :shrugs: I always hear something interesting when I see her. She's taking an organic pregnancy vitamin, so I made note of the brand when I was last over. I've also been taking notes of what products she feels are safe to use during pregnancy.

Anyway, I really appreciate the support and I'll check in and let you know how things go.

It sounds like you're taking this (your SIL's visit) very well in stride Kismet. One thing to add on would be that while you're taking this as an excellent opportunity to learn things from her ABOUT what pregnancy's all about, I think it's also an opportunity to learn about how you'll do it differently. For example, when one of my best friends became pregnant (I know, we can all relate!) she became very self involved and we didn't know where we stood. This made me realize the importance of drawing all my close friends closer ESPECIALLY when pregnant and continuously reminding them how special they are to me and how I want them to be special in the eyes of my LO. After all, it's better to have as many role models as possible!

Good job girls with the headway! Brenn, I will remember your mantra the next time I'm at the gym!

Thanks so much for this thread. I think this is what I needed. Im having a tough time too, lots of family time this weekend which is great and I wouldnt change it but my broodyness is on overdrive. I need to turn my broodyness into something positive or else I will drive mysel crazy! When I thougt my ttc was closer I started a journal for future LO so that they could read it when they were old enough so they would know how much I loved them before they were even here. Makes me feel sad now as I have at least 1 year to wait but probably 2 or 3 years

Sorry, self-pity party over!! Im going to go and take my vitamins and do some exercise!

Good idea thinking of this thread! My TTC hasnt really got off to the best start because AF arrived (finally after being almost a month late) but the bloodiness is defi still there!

I have bought a note book that I write lists etc in for what I will need for baby and if I see anything I like on websites, I write it down coz I can guarantee that I won't remember what I have seen. I love writing lists and planning/organising anyway so this really helps focus my attention. I do little sketches of nursery deigns and possible room layouts, note down measurements of furniture that I like to see if it will fit in the room. Some may say it is a bit sad and ott but it actually helps me. If I am in a supermarket or store that sells baby stuff I always go for a little browse to see what is available and of course there is the window shopping online too.

Hope that helps xx

Vikster, you made me realize that part of being a "Smiling Brooder" is also learning to not take others' successes as a personal failure. That sounds obvious and simplistic to the extreme, but think about how many times we (as women) bitch/rant/etc about others to put ourselves up- definitely not healthy in the long run. And I'm not talking about pure jealousy, which will be inevitable. I'm talking more about the vicious cycle that is created when one feels that their successes are not as worthy as others'. Ok, I'm really not explaining this well! Let me give an example: best friend has beautiful baby, I feel jealous/suffocated/unappreciated etc. I am happy for her but find other faults: well, her marriage is not as good as mine; well, when I'm a mum I'm going to do it better/differently; well, her career is going to suffer, etc. With the point of, what? Making myself feel better? Totally destructive!
Vikster, I hope you stay around here (wtt) while you ttc, at least for the smiling brooders, cause I think it can be really helpful for us to partake in your successes (and disappointments etc) and not feel them as our personal failures. what do you think?

I'm feeling especially positive today, just one last research paper and finals left for this semester! I'm more than halfway through my program with a year left! Now if I can get my workout video game to work, I'll be having the perfect day!!

Hope everyone else is having a great weekend!!

I'm feeling much better today too

Me and OH had a talk and he said he knows how hard it is for me and that he does really want us to have a baby but not quite yet. I think that's all I needed. I have been a bit OTT with the baby stuff but have tried to back off lately as he had been a bit snappy about it but hopefully we are getting there.

Anyway I hope u are all having a lovely weekend

Whewww, today has not been a easy to be positive kinda day!

Tons of babies at church today because so many families are in town, I sat behind a newly married couple who just announced their pregnancy two/three weeks ago, and I have a friend at a nearby birthing center flying through her birth... we'll be seeing pics & finding out the sex soon and I'm just not emotionally prepared for seeing all that.... I wish I could just be happy for others and not jealous or in pain for me.

I just need it to be me. One day, one day, one day.

My OH said yesterday that he wants our first child to be born in spring or summer... which I'm great with.. but that means after we try for about two months (Nov & Dec), then we have to stop for about 6 months. He told me he really wants a our baby to share his birth month of May. That absolutely warms my heart and I'm thrilled he thinks about such things.. but I don't want to wait that long.. it was just an off hand conversation and I doubt he'll want to stop trying if we don't get a BFP in Nov or Dec, he wants a baby as much as I do.. but it kinda scares me, too.

This weekend has been a serious battle against my positivism. I'm not even sure that's a word, hahahahaha.

Good thing I have you ladies!

Thanks for that AnneBurg, I am defo staying on wtt. I've stalked TTC but it seems a bit serious for me at the moment and I want to take as relaxed approach to conceiving as possible so I enjoy the process and hopefully not get too caught up in the mechanics of it iykwim? That is not meant to offend any other TTCers but I feel like I get plenty of support and info on here and I enjoy it. Of course I will keep everyone posted xx