Pregnancy Apps

Anyone who knows me will know that my iPhone pretty much never leaves my side so it was inevitable that before long I would go searching for pregnancy related apps.

I have had most of these apps from before I even announced my pregnancy, and they were a great comfort for me when I had nobody to talk to. Here are my favourite pregnancy apps.....

Pregnancy App by The Smile Factory £1.99 (there is a free version)

This app was the first one that I downloaded. I don't seem to use it very much since getting later apps that do the same thing but more, however, I like the simple to navigate layout of this app and it is really nice how the welcome message changes each time you go on the app and calls you by name. The app allows you to see how far along you are in your pregnancy and gives weekly updates on how you and your baby are developing. There are other functions which I have yet to use such as a contraction timer and kick counter, which I might use when relevant. There are some functions that I won't be using as I don't really need them such as the lists on signs of labour and when to call the doctor, but these would be useful for first time mums. The size visualizer tool is a great idea as it shows you the fruit that your baby is the size of, giving you a better idea of how big it is each week. There is a photo gallery where you can upload your bump photos each month as well as the option to send in your photos to be featured in the users bump gallery, which is quite cool. One of the best features of this app, especially in early pregnancy is the personal diary where you can write about your thoughts, feelings and symptoms whenever you want, even giving you the option to upload directly to Facebook , Twitter or an email address if you wish. I would never have thought to keep a pregnancy diary but started writing on the app and ended up copying it out into a notebook and then keeping up writing in this every so often throughout my pregnancy. It will be such a nice memento and something to look back on after I've had the baby.

What to Expect Pregnancy Tracker FREE

I was a bit wary of this app as I am not keen on the What to Expect range of books, finding them too heavy going with a distinct lack of pretty pictures (yes I know how that makes me sound!). This app, however, is great and has fast become my go to app for my pregnancy. Similar to the pregnancy app, this one shows you a weekly update on how your pregnancy is progressing but even better, this one also shows you a daily update as well. This is great when you are like me and literally counting down the days! It also has a welcome page stating how many weeks and days into your pregnancy you are each time you go onto it, as well as telling you which trimester you are in, what fruit your baby is as big as, a countdown to your due date and a reminder of when that due date is. The app also has a place to upload your bump photos weekly, something I haven't been taking advantage of as I have been instead uploading them to an album on Facebook. There are a whole host of forums on the app but I have avoided these as they mostly seem to be targeted and used by American users, making them less relevant for me.

My Pregnancy Today by Babycentre  FREE

This app is great. Like the previous two, its primary use is as a daily and weekly update of the pregnancy. As it is made by such a well know pregnancy site, it has the added bonus of linking you directly to the site enabling you to read expert advice on a variety of topics, as well as a link to the popular babycentre community. Unlike What to Expect, this app is focused on British pregnant women which makes it more relevant to my own pregnancy. This app has a handy checklist of things to do in the lead up to your due date including regular prompts to take a belly photo, visit the dentist, drink lots of water and do your pelvic floor exercises as well as bigger milestones such as writing your birth plan and packing your hospital bag. The daily updates on the pregnancy and great and this app is unique as it shows you video clips and pictures of the baby in the womb as well as information.

50,000 Baby Names FREE

This app is great for those finding it difficult to think of a name for the baby. It has a huge variety of names and even lists them in handy themes such as Bible names, Celebrity baby names, Flower names and by origins. You can either search for both sexes or just boy or girl names if you already know the gender. You can also look up a specific name and its meaning using the app. When you find a name you like, there is a favourites section which you can add your names to and review them whenever you want.

Countdown app FREE

This isn't strictly a pregnancy app but it can be used to countdown to any event. I have put in a countdown to my 20 week scan (now only an hour away, eek!), Disney holiday and of course the baby's due date. It's great to be able to see quickly just how long I've got left to wait. You can also add photos to the background of your countdowns and have more than one countdown on the go at any one time.

App of the Week: Draw Something

If you have an iPhone you may have heard about the latest craze in the app world. Draw Something is an addictive guessing game much the same as Pictionary where you can play with friends or with strangers to guess each others drawings in order to earn coins, which in turn can unlock more colours to draw with.

I heard about the app a few days ago and instantly got hooked. I have quite a few games ongoing. The best part is that you can carry on your day and just go onto it to take your turn when you are free.

The app is available for free, although I decided to pay 69p for the upgrade as it also gave me 400 bonus coins which allowed me to get two sets of colours. It also means I don't have to click through ads when I play, although it is possible to play with the free app.

You don't have to be an amazing artist to play the game, stick men are welcome and it is usually better to be creative with your pictures rather than trying to be completely accurate. I am extremely competitive and have managed to reach 45 on one game so far.

I would definitely recommend this game to anyone as it is a great way to pass the time. A word of warning though, it does get addictive fast!

My Latest Obession

As you may already know, I got the iPhone 4 the other day and have since had it permanently attached to my side. I discovered iBooks straight away as it was suggested to me by the phone itself. I hadn't heard of it before, but was aware of things like the Kindle allowing you to read books on gadgets.

I looked at the free selection of ibooks first but wasn't too impressed, they were either by unknown authors, really short stories, or classic novels. I did download Wuthering Heights, but got about three pages in before I realised it wasn't the sort of book to capture my imagination whilst using an iPhone. I needed something relatively short, sweet and funny. A chick flick basically. I had another search and came across a book called A Girl Like You by Gemma Burgess for £1.99. I read a couple of the excellent reviews and then downloaded it.

I am so glad I did as I have been glued to the book ever since! I don't get much of a chance to read these days as I have Cameron all through the day, apart from when he naps, which is when I get housework, baking etc done, so I have been reading a little each night. I have found it hard to 'put the book down' each night as it is such a good read, and once I start reading, I find it difficult to stop! I am already looking forward to finding my next online book to read as this one is sadly drawing to a close.

I would definitely recommend iBooks as it is an easy way to read on the go, cheaply, and you can even play music or flick back to Facebook whenever you want!

Friday Feelings: 23rd September

So another week has gone by, which brings me another week closer to my graduation.... It is still a way off,  but I am starting to get a little nervous. It is not going to be the first graduation I have been to, as I went to my mum's last summer when she graduated with her Masters. I was so proud of her!

It means I know what to expect, and that is what is making it worse. I hate sitting in crowds of people, and I am really nervous that I will trip or fall or something stupid in front of everyone! It will be worth it though.

I got my new phone this week and have been playing around with it, getting apps on it, downloading ringtones and music for it, and using the video on it to take some footage of Cameron which I couldn't do before! I took this film of him earlier, and used an app to edit it quickly.





As you can see, he is refusing to walk! He walked once, then reverted back to just holding onto everything whilst he did it, which is frustrating as he has been at that stage since he was 9 months old! Bless him!

Other than that, I have been shopping today for my nan's presents as it is her birthday tomorrow. We are all going out for a lovely meal tomorrow, and then watching the X Factor in the evening.

I hope everyone has some lovely plans for the weekend. Whatever you end up doing, I hope you have fun!

Photo of the Day 21st September

Today I picked my new iPhone 4 up from the depot and have been playing around with it every time Cameron has been occupied since! I have had an issue with the 3G (namely there is low 3G connectivity where I am, which is weird as my last iPhone picked it up fine!), but other than that I am in love with the iPhone all over again. It was so weird being without it for just 4 days! I have already started making it my own with a bright pink case and Cameron as my background again. There is no chance this one is ever leaving my side! I am going to be sat in front of the TOWIE catch up programme in a bit with the app store open, finding all new games to play with.

Do you own an iPhone? Or are you more a Blackberry girl? Or do you feel the smartphones are a waste of space? Let me know!

Cuddles With Cameron Tuesday 20th September

I have had a busy time lately!

I turned one last Tuesday and me and mummy had a really nice time together, I got lots of presents and yummy things to eat as well. Mummy spent a lot of time shopping towards the end of the week, getting lots of pretty things to bake. I didn't see her much on Friday because she was in the kitchen all day and night cooking yummy smelling things!

Me with Mummy on my Birthday

On Saturday I had my birthday party which was so much fun! I also got to meet my girlfriend Neve and her mummy Mel, and after the party (where I got even more presents!) we went down to the sea, though by that point Neve was sleepy in her pram, she is just a little baby still you see.

Me with mummy and Mel

Mummy has been very upset because she doesn't have her pretty phone anymore, and I am a bit annoyed too as I loved playing with it, though mummy would never let me put it in my mouth!




RIP Mummy's iPhone...


I hope all of mummy's readers had a good time this weekend and have lots of nice plans for the next week!

Speak again soon!

Cameron xxx

The Worst Hangover Ever?

Last night I went out with my brother, his girlfriend and my cousin to celebrate passing University (I collected my results the other day and I got a 2:2, yay!). I rarely ever go out, it was the first time in months, so I found it hard to cope with drinking and therefore got very drunk very fast. I managed to lose my bag, which was found by the bar staff this morning, with my iPhone and Drivers License taken from it.

I was absolutely gutted and very cross at myself for getting drunk enough to lose my bag! I didn't have phone insurance so Orange did nothing, but block the phone, and offer me a replacement iPhone 3G for £316. I thought that was a rip off, so looked at second hand iPhones on eBay, but then decided they might have hidden faults or not be worth the money, so instead I asked my brother and cousin for advice and they suggested I try and buy out of my contract and start a new one with a free iPhone 4, which is what I have done! I am getting it with my old flat deposit which I got back, so I don't feel as bad about the money, and it worked out cheaper than buying the iPhone 3GS or 4 from Apple, so that was a result!

I get my new phone in a few days, and am very excited! I have to look for a new case now, as although I have taken out insurance this time round, there is no way I want to risk breaking this one after having the last one stolen! iPhones are very valuable items!!

I think it is disgusting that someone stole my license and phone, and have lost things like photos of Cameron's party, that I won't ever get back. Makes me sick to know there are people like that in the World!