*~*~* The Decemberists! *~*~*

[Shh]

HanyouMama - glad everything was fine in the end and gorgeous pic. I had that issue last pregnancy, I felt so sick and DH said I just went white (as did he). Big hugs for being brave!

Smawfl - Glad you're enjoying the bump-rubbing! I do it without thinking sometimes, but generally only find myself doing it if I'm feeling a bit tight/sore/baby is pushing somewhere. In terms of bottles, last time we used (and still use) Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature, we successfully combined them with breastfeeding for expressed feeds, they've lasted well, only changing the teats to faster flowing ones. They have discoloured in the dishwasher though. I think we may well be buying them again.

 

[smawfl]

Smawfl - Glad you're enjoying the bump-rubbing! I do it without thinking sometimes, but generally only find myself doing it if I'm feeling a bit tight/sore/baby is pushing somewhere. In terms of bottles, last time we used (and still use) Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature, we successfully combined them with breastfeeding for expressed feeds, they've lasted well, only changing the teats to faster flowing ones. They have discoloured in the dishwasher though. I think we may well be buying them again.

I saw the Tommee Tippee ones at the weekend I think, the teat looks very good but I wasn't impresses with the bottle itself, if I remember it's a bit squidgy?

 

[anneliese]

hey everyone, just checking in. Glad all your pregnancies are going so well and I love all the scan pictures. Can't wait until I join you guys


AF got me again last month, I felt a bit crappy but honestly I wasn't too bothered, it will happen when it happens. I've also been feeling really down about my weight lately (I've gained 9/10 kg in the past year or so, though most of it was in the 6 past months since I moved to Greece. Damn Greek food ). I'm not even technically overweight, but I have a very petite frame and have always been naturally thin so the extra weight really makes me feel like crap. I'm also afraid of getting pregnant and gaining weight on top of what I've already gained, so one of the only plus sides to not being pregnant yet is that I get to lose that extra weight.

I'm also about to ovulate I think, but I noticed on Tuesday night I had bright red blood in my CM. It kind of freaked me out as I've never had any kind of abnormal blood or spotting throughout my cycle. I wouldn't even call it spotting as there wasn't any on my underwear, just weird stringy blood in the CM when I wiped. I read it could be ovulation approaching but I haven't even got a positive OPK yet (which I usually get by now) and although I didn't notice any blood yesterday, it was there again today and I don't think pre-ovulation spotting lasts that long? We also had sex about 12 hours before I noticed the first blood, but it wasn't particularly rough or anything and I've never seen blood after sex before either.. Anyway, it just kind of worries me because I've never had it and then I also read it can be a symptom of cervical cancer . I did have a pap smear in November though and they didn't find any cancerous cells or anything, so hopefully it's nothing serious. I guess if it persists I'll go the doctor.

 

[Shh]

Hi Anneliese - I'm sorry AF got you last month, fingers crossed for this month. Please try not to get down about your weight - mine fluctuates constantly and I know how bleurgh it can make me feel. Hugs. I sometimes used to have spotting after BD too, I don't think its anything, but like you say, perhaps worth going to the doctor for another smear if you're worried.

Smwafl - no, the bottles aren't squiggly at all, they're completely solid, the teats are though. Worth a look, but make sure you only get them on special offer, usually Boots have a pack offer on, particularly with a steriliser, I got an electric one in mine and I've been really happy with it.

 

[seaweed eater]

My bump has changed again, looking a little higher and rounder now! Love it! do any of you stroke your bumps? I remember thinking before pregnancy I found it odd when I saw pregnant women constantly rubbing their bellies but now I can't stop! It's like I'm soothing baby!

Post a pic!! I wouldn't say I stroke mine, but I am in the habit of putting my hand there when Munchkin starts kicking, because I like feeling the kicks from the outside.

I will be trying to breastfeed baby but want to get some bottles just in case. Have any of you decided which bottles you'll be using? I'm thinking of getting the MAM ones.

I think it's a great idea to get bottles, having seen my friends who recently had babies and who breastfeed exclusively. If you are planning to BF for several months or more, I can't imagine getting through that time without ever once pumping. I haven't decided yet which ones we're getting -- I think I registered for some kind of starter set on Amazon? The one thing I've heard is that not all babies take to all bottles, so it's best to buy just a few at first in case you need to switch to a different brand.

Have a wonderful time at the Baby Show!!

AF got me again last month, I felt a bit crappy but honestly I wasn't too bothered, it will happen when it happens. I've also been feeling really down about my weight lately (I've gained 9/10 kg in the past year or so, though most of it was in the 6 past months since I moved to Greece. Damn Greek food ). I'm not even technically overweight, but I have a very petite frame and have always been naturally thin so the extra weight really makes me feel like crap. I'm also afraid of getting pregnant and gaining weight on top of what I've already gained, so one of the only plus sides to not being pregnant yet is that I get to lose that extra weight.

Oohh, when I lived in Greece for 4 months I think I gained almost that much weight too, despite being vegetarian! That food is amazing/ridiculous. I bet your weight is fine right now, but I do think it's wise to plan to be at a weight you're happy with before pregnancy, because as you said you shouldn't be trying to limit your weight gain or lose weight while pregnant.

I'm glad you weren't too bothered by AF. I bet it will happen soon your charts look so good!

I'm also about to ovulate I think, but I noticed on Tuesday night I had bright red blood in my CM.

I totally agree that it's probably nothing but maybe best to get checked if it persists. Lots of women do seem to get that around ov time, though.

Enjoy your BDing this week! Lots of !!!

I'm off to my 24-week appointment in a little while (I seem to be a week behind my appointments ). Looking forward to getting some questions answered, but a little anxious about my weight, protein in urine, and of course the possibility that Munchkin's heartbeat indicates something is wrong. But I like thinking of the appointments as milestones! Can't quite believe it's been a month since the last one.

A friend pointed me to this link https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/19/business/20leonhardt-table.html and I thought some of you might enjoy it! Munchkin may very well be born on September 16th, so I guess he'll be having some joint birthday parties with friends and isn't the 9th when DS and Pusscat are due? I also think it's funny that, in non-leap years, September 16th happens to be exactly 38 weeks from...Christmas Eve!

 

[anneliese]

thanks seaweed and shh for the support. . And just curious, what brought you to Greece? And hope everything goes well at the appointment tomorrow!

The bloody CM has no turned into some really light spotting now. I really have no idea what's going on with my body and I've never had an irregular period or spotting in my life (outside of either the very beginning or end of AF). I'm wondering if it's possible that a change in exercise/diet can cause spotting? I've been working out quite a bit the past two weeks, so I wonder if going from extremely to inactive to quite active in such a sort time can cause hormonal changes like that.. we also did BD again today, so if sex caused it the first time, I guess it could have caused the spotting today.. I feel like I'm over reacting because it's so common to not have perfectly regular periods and mid cycle spotting, but I always have regular cycles, so a sudden change like this just freaks me out

 

[gaiagirl]

thanks seaweed and shh for the support. . And just curious, what brought you to Greece? And hope everything goes well at the appointment tomorrow!

The bloody CM has no turned into some really light spotting now. I really have no idea what's going on with my body and I've never had an irregular period or spotting in my life (outside of either the very beginning or end of AF). I'm wondering if it's possible that a change in exercise/diet can cause spotting? I've been working out quite a bit the past two weeks, so I wonder if going from extremely to inactive to quite active in such a sort time can cause hormonal changes like that.. we also did BD again today, so if sex caused it the first time, I guess it could have caused the spotting today.. I feel like I'm over reacting because it's so common to not have perfectly regular periods and mid cycle spotting, but I always have regular cycles, so a sudden change like this just freaks me out

Hey Anneliese! Glad to hear from you, sounds like you have a great attitude about conceiving. Can't wait for you to join us with a 2013 baby!

I don't know about the spotting, I have never had that...just out of curiosity, did you actually take a test and get a BFN? I have a friend who had a period while she was pregnant and didn't realize...it is rare and probably pretty far-fetched but maybe worth a thought?

Hope it resolves itself and this is your month!

 

[seaweed eater]

thanks seaweed and shh for the support. . And just curious, what brought you to Greece? And hope everything goes well at the appointment tomorrow!

Thanks! Everything did go well...not a very eventful appointment. Munchkin had kicked me about 100 times in the morning before I went so I was pretty confident that his heartbeat would be ok, and it was! I did get a lovely bottle of Glucola to take home as a souvenir though I'm supposed to keep it chilled and drink it before the next appointment in 4 weeks. Does anyone else have the glucose thing coming up?

I was in Greece as part of a cultural study exchange during my gap year before college. I absolutely loved it! Some of the best memories of my life. Of course, I am sure the national mood was quite different then...it was almost 10 years ago and everybody was very optimistic.

Just out of curiosity, did you actually take a test and get a BFN? I have a friend who had a period while she was pregnant and didn't realize...it is rare and probably pretty far-fetched but maybe worth a thought?

I thought about suggesting this too. I think it is unlikely given what your temps look like (you actually did have a temp decrease around AF time), but it might be worth a shot... either way hope everything is ok!

 

[smawfl]

Happy Friday Ladies!!!

This week has flown by!

Anneliese - lovely to hear from you! Sorry AF got you last month. I can't say I've ever had mid cycle spotting, if it carries on definitely worth mentioning it to your GP.

Shh - thanks Shh, will have another look at them. I'm so terrible with too much choice!

Seaweed - this was bump on Monday:

I think I've felt a kick on the outside once or twice but it's so quick it's like blink and you miss it!
Glad the 24 week appt went well. I think I will have to have the glucose test but nothing booked in yet.

 

[seaweed eater]

Ooh I love the bump! You look great!

 

[gaiagirl]

Love it!!!!!!!!

 

[Pusscat]

smawfl - love your bump Very neat and tidy but big enough to look like a proper baby bump!

Seaweed - glad your appt went well. I've not had a glucose test. Don't know if it's standard here And thanks for the link to the birthday site. Yep, I'm due on 9th Sept! 2nd most popular birthday is good!

Anneliese - lovely to hear from you. Can't help much with the spotting, I just hope it calms down, and if it doesn't then definitely see the doctor, if only to put your mind at rest. I'd want to know what's going on too, especially at a time when you're super conscious of everything that's going on down there!

Shh - hello! It's really good to have an experienced mum on here to help out all us first time-ers!

Baby Show for me tomorrow I'll let you know if I see anything worth looking out for! Then DH is back early on Sunday morning. Yay! Lots of things to look forward to

 

[smawfl]

Ooh I love the bump! You look great!

Love it!!!!!!!!

smawfl - love your bump Very neat and tidy but big enough to look like a proper baby bump!

Baby Show for me tomorrow I'll let you know if I see anything worth looking out for! Then DH is back early on Sunday morning. Yay! Lots of things to look forward to

Thanks girls!

Pussycat let me know if you find anything cool! Did you get the email about the free gift? Also the free MAM bottle?

for you that your DH is back!

 

[Pusscat]

No, I didn't get the email about the free gift! Did you? I just assumed I'd missed the deadline or something! And you just reminded me about the free bottle but unfortunately our printer is out of ink so can't print out the form Never mind, maybe they'll have some forms I can fill out at the stand. Hoping for many many freebies!

 

[Shh]

Gorgeous bump Smawfl!!

Pusscat - You're very sweet, but I can't say that I'm particularly experienced - I can only offer advice from my own personal experience/having been-there-done-that. Unfortunately no two situations seem to be the same with babies, so anything I say may be completely irrelevant to you guys/you may feel completely differently - feel free to ignore me always! I'm always here to give my opinion/what I found first time around though, so please ask away! I'm completely expecting it to be totally different second time around, so the learning curve may well be as steep this time!

DH felt cubs for the first time a couple of nights ago - that was lovely

Glad you had a good appointment SeaweedEater, it doesn't get any less nerve-wracking as it goes on does it? New worries for each milestone!

Have any of you thought about names yet? I love having the conversation with my DH, but we're definitely struggling this time, last time we had two or three firm favourites, I'm a bit worried this baby will remain nameless for days after its born!!

 

[Shh]

Oh, and have fun at the baby show Pusscat - hope you get some good bargains! I'm so jealous, I wish I was going!

 

[seaweed eater]

Have any of you thought about names yet? I love having the conversation with my DH, but we're definitely struggling this time, last time we had two or three firm favourites, I'm a bit worried this baby will remain nameless for days after its born!!

We've basically decided on one...it's not set in stone but it's been the favorite for at least 8 or 9 weeks now (since before we knew the sex for sure), and I'm about 90% sure it's the one we'll go with. We've told some close friends and family, but everyone else who asks gets told that we haven't thought about it yet. We probably won't tell many more people until he's born and it's official. I don't want to post it publicly here but I'd be happy to PM any of you who are curious

 

[minimoocow]

Hello ladies

I'm now half way through my TWW. I always find the 2nd week drags more and since I OV super late this month I feel I should already be there by now if you see what I mean? Plus if I do get my BFP this month then my dates will all be off - its never straightforward!

Hope those going to the baby show enjoy it - sounds very exciting.

 

[anneliese]

gaia - no I didn't take a test because other than the weird bleeding all the signs pointed towards not being pregnant. After I made that post I went to the bathroom and had what looked like the start of a period. There was light bleeding, but definitely a flow. It freaked me out, but after that it pretty much stopped. Haven't had any bleeding today or yesterday (although yesterday I had some brownish CM).

Anyway, I'm glad everything is going well in your pregnancy and I saw your bump picture awhile back and it was gorgeous! You're leaning towards the finding out the sex right? Any guesses as to what it might be?

smaw - your bump is so cute!

mini - It seems I'm in the same boat with you again this month! Since I had that weird mid-cycle bleeding I'm also going to ovulate quite a bit later than normal. Longer cycles are so annoying, but hopefully change is good though and it can both of our months?

 

[seaweed eater]

I hope it IS both of your months! I do know what you mean about longer cycles. Feeling impatient for ovulation definitely made me feel MORE impatient during the TWW. But hopefully this is the last TWW for both of you.

Who is watching the Champions League final today? I'm excited to watch. For once there is good football on a TV channel we get at home!