Trapped toddler parents: puddlesuits splashing towards spring

[WeSearchedHereWeSearchedThere]

All guardians of toddlers welcome, we offer ideas, activities, and a shoulder to lean on when it all gets too much. We’ve conquered winter, next stop spring!

Continuing from www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4105179-trapped-toddler-parents-of-the-fabled-winter-2020-2021-puddle-suits-at-the-ready-hello-christmas?pg=1

@MonkeyPuddle you need a glue gun for that craft job I think

We are hoping to book to north Wales for the summer.

@Motherofmonsters can I ask what booster seat you are using? (Or if anyone else has any recommendations!) DD 18 months is starting to get frustrated in the highchair and the other day tried to climb in herself and pulled it on top of herself. Wondering whether a booster on a normal chair and teaching her how to safely climb in and out is doable at her age?

With classes, I've got DD booked into a toddler play class to start up end of April. I'll have no 2 by then who will only be a few weeks so hoping that I'll just be able to toss them in a sling/feed them through the class. Anyone have any experience of taking the teeny ones with them to classes?

@PinkDaydreams, Gullivers Word is another attraction not too far away, we went last year when Ds1 was 2.9 and DS2 was 7 months. To be fair not much for a 7 month old but certainly a good few rides for nearly 3 year old and above.

@Same4Walls, sounds like you have had a good outdoorsy day, little ones seems so much happier outside and fresh air does wonders, I bet he will sleep well tonight after all the fresh air, I hope so.

@Motherofmonsters, how is the sleeping going? Hope you are managing some more. It's funny when you move on a stage I think, I felt it packing away the lie flat carrycot of the pram, and I kept DS1 in sleepsuits until he was 18 months old rather than pj's, however couldn't wait to get DS2 into pj's and away from those pesky sleepsuit poppers! Hope your DD is happier in the booster seat.

@drumst1ck how many weeks are you now? Are you ready for number 2?

@WeSearchedHereWeSearchedThere, I had another couple of listening ideas- how about putting on the radio on rather than listening to traditional children's nursery rhymes or songs or googling different accents or languages?

@MonkeyPuddle, did you manage to get the bonnet sorted?

[quote drumst1ck]@Motherofmonsters can I ask what booster seat you are using? (Or if anyone else has any recommendations!) DD 18 months is starting to get frustrated in the highchair and the other day tried to climb in herself and pulled it on top of herself. Wondering whether a booster on a normal chair and teaching her how to safely climb in and out is doable at her age?[/quote]
I've just got a basic safety 1st one, I bought it second hand off Facebook. I'm pretty sure DS could climb into his booster seat around that age, DD can't but she's not as confident climbing as he was.

[quote drumst1ck]@Motherofmonsters can I ask what booster seat you are using? (Or if anyone else has any recommendations!) DD 18 months is starting to get frustrated in the highchair and the other day tried to climb in herself and pulled it on top of herself. Wondering whether a booster on a normal chair and teaching her how to safely climb in and out is doable at her age?[/quote]
The Fisher Price Healthy Care one is brilliant. I used it with DS1 from about 4 months to 3 years old. Totally adjustable and all washable etc.

@Motherofmonsters thanks, I'll have a look at that one!

@Chocolatetrifle 37 weeks now. I spent the weekend panic nesting and ended up needing a big lie down this afternoon! Is anyone ever ready for a baby to arrive?

@BertieBotts thank you! I'll have a look at that one as well

Morning all. Ds was up alert and awake at 3am... Today is going to be a very long day. I hope you all enjoyed a better night's sleep.

Oh no same4walls, that is a long day. DD woke up at 5 which is bad enough.

Preschool today so just me and DD for a while. I'm going to get some happyland sets out for her to see what she's like with those types of toys. They have a fire station dolls house that she likes but she mostly just takes stuff in and out of it.

, I'm going to get some happyland sets out for her to see what she's like with those types of toys. They have a fire station dolls house that she likes but she mostly just takes stuff in and out of it*

Aww sounds like a fab idea, I bet she will have a grand old time. I love playing with DS's happy land by which I mean I set up the track track and funfair and DS throws the people about and tries to derail my train.

My plan for the day involves copious amounts of coffee and prayers to the the god of naps.

Hi all, generally a good night but ds was so upset at bedtime last night, no idea why! Properly sobbing and anxious about not wanting to eat some mango at dinner time (which was fine, a total non event!), bit clingy this morning too but has gone off to his grandparents for the sleepover that didn't happen last week, I hope he will be OK. He's excited, I may be a bit anxious as have sent him off with about 5 outfits and 3 choices of coat 😅

Re the booster: we had a joie every stage 6 in 1 jobby so you could turn the highchair into a stool with straps or take it off for a booster. Good from weaning but to be honest at 18 months probably not worth the price (we've never used the desk set up bit). Ds has been on a normal chair since about 2.5 but he's tall.

God I hope the weather is good over Easter hols, I'm basically planning on decamping to my parents garden every day as soon as its legal! We still have the Xmas chicken/capon/big bird thing and ham to have to celebrate being allowed in the same garden with mum and dad and sister and bil!

Is anyone else planning to move now that we're coming out of lockdown? I love our house but have been working from home for over a year now and I'm getting a bit twitchy about schools (not keen on the local secondary). Unfortunately Unfortunately beautiful village I want to move to (we rented there briefly pre ds) is achingly expensive so I'm.a bit sulky and stalking rightmove daily!

@Same4Walls, 3am oh my goodness, can't believe were up for the day then, how are you coping? Hope DS has a nap for you.

We have attempted some Easter crafting, the pom poms really do get everywhere. We have played with the cleaning set and play hoover. Watched Alphablocks. Been on a long buggy walk and had a playground stop, got the mega blocks out now, (plus the tele).

Happyland figures are great. Fisher Price Little People are similar and quite good too. We've got the fire engine.

Thanks for all the booster seat recommendations!

Playdoh here this morning, she managed a good 30 mins with it while I pottered around doing some washing which is a record. Should really be going out on a walk before nap time but feel like my organs are about to fall out of my downstairs so might leave that until the afternoon...

Dad's bags are all packed for her to go to her grandparents when labour kicks off but I'm feeling so anxious about it. She seems them very regularly and loves them but what with restrictions for most of her life she's never actually had a night away from me! I can guarantee she will be fine but stupidly I'm worrying that I'll be too worried about her when she goes. (I appreciate how daft that sounds..)

That should be DD's not dad's...

Oh how did I miss those pics before? So gorgeous!

DS2 is poorly now so no nursery today. We have done bubbles and painting. Had a failed nap attempt and then he's spread various toys all over the floor and wailed that I wouldn't play with them with him. He is now watching Cocomelon.

@BertieBotts that booster seat looks great, I’ll be ordering one for DD for weaning.

@Chocolatetrifle it’s almost done, I forgot I had a glue gun! Just need some extra chicks. Will post a picture of my masterpiece once completed 😂

@Same4Walls ooof that is hard, 3am start is a killer. I have fingers and toes crossed you get to nap today.

@meow1989 don’t blame you for wanting to go round to their gardens, it’s going to be lovely just sitting with other people. My mum has a sub trap of a back garden and I am so looking forward to sitting in there with her and just watching the kids play.

I’m a Rightmove stalker. There’s a house come up for sale on our estate which would be perfect for us, near school, my work, good garden. We just need another year for DP’s credit to improve. And for me not to be on maternity leave!

@BertieBotts hope he gets better soon! And you don't have to endure too much cocomelon!

We are thinking of trying to buy our first house late summer/autumn so another Rightmove stalker here. Most of the time is just depresses me though at how little we get for our money!

@drumst1ck I felt the same when I had DD! My mum came to our house to watch DS for us, she stayed for a few days in the end as I was in for 5 (blissful) days after giving birth.

She will be fine, it will be an adventure for her and I’m sure she will be spoiled rotten!

@BertieBotts ah no poor DS! Don’t blame you on the telly thing, resting up with a bit of mindnumbing tellybis always a good idea when they’re under the weather in my eyes, or the winging kicks off and then everyone feels bad!

We’re not doing much today. I’ve hovered and dusted the downstairs, got the washing out on the line, DS is at his dads house til tomorrow afternoon. DD slept shit last night, we’ve started a proper Bedtime Routine now, just bath, boob, story, but she still likes a 3am party time. So due to us both being tired DP and I will be sitting with the curtains closed and watching a film with snacks this afternoon. We have a hike planned for tomorrow, a nice 8 mile circular walk, DD will be in the sling and we’ll take a pack up. Heaven.

We used to have the Rainforest one with a play set attachment, it was absolutely brilliant!! Loved it. Doesn't look like you can get that one any more.

@BertieBotts I used a chicco pocket snack with DS and while it fit the brief it was an absolute fucker to clean. Nooks and crannies galore.

drumst1ck I'm sure DD will have a fabulous time being spoilt rotten whilst you have the baby.

MonkeyPuddle sorry to hear you were also up at 3am, you have my sympathies. Your hike sounds like a fabulous idea.

BertieBotts sorry to hear DS is not feeling well. Hopefully he perks up soon and you're not forced to endure too much cocomelon.

We've so far read lots of books, been for a park walk and picked up some nappies and goodies from the shops and now I'm attempting once again to get small human to nap... I'm 3 cups of coffee in and honestly feel like I'll be asleep before him at this rate...

@Chocolatetrifle DH mentioned the other week about going to Gulliver's world once it's open, we will give that a try too then thank you!

@drumst1ck DD was born week before last. DS ended up staying with my cousin and her children and I was definitely worried how he'd cope, but he had a great time getting fussed over by the older ones and has dealt really well with the upheaval. Just wanted to reassure you as he's barely seen anyone outside of us and staff/children at nursery, but managed okay staying somewhere completely new without us. He was a bit off with me when I got back (picking DH for stories which he never normally does) but we had a good cuddle/chat about feeling cross and we seem to be settling into being a family of four. Hope things go well when you do go into hospital.

Having a calm day today with DS at nursery (and DD currently sleeping in her moses basket). While we were all here (Thursday to Sunday), we managed a couple of park trips, some baking and lots of silly games with DS - anything involving bumping or falling down is a hit at the moment. The only thing is that I wish I could be better at starting more imaginative games - happyland play sets sound great (I remember loving playmobil when I was a little older) but hard to justify when we have loads of stuff already that doesn't really get played with. Trying to cut down tv time to set times of day (rather than potentially saying yes at any time depending how guilty I feel about how much it has been on and how much I want a break), and encourage him to find other things to do - but still looking for activities that are engaging for a reasonable amount of time. Also a bit nervous about managing both of them once DH is back at work but DS seems to be getting the idea he sometimes has to wait so hopefully will be a bit cooperative if we do things like trips to the park.

@Same4Walls 3am! So so much sympathy, hope you're feeling okay (and managing some coordinated napping)

prettygirlincrimsonrose it sounds like DS has taken to being a big brother very well. Glad to hear you're all surviving. Definitely get some happyland stuff it will last years and be a good investment.

I'm about ready to call it a day. DS is now clearly overtired. He fell asleep earlier for about 15 minues before the neighbours dogs yapping woke him up, despite his window being closed. He's now point blank refusing to sleep and im choosing to ignore his whining in favour of browsing MN to keep myself awake.