feb 2011 - waving those pom poms

[slowangels1]

just to start a new (and possibly last) ante natal thread - come on knitta

Debka, i have tried leaving Noah to cry and for about a week it worked. he would cry a little then sleep, then it changed and he just got more and more distressed. Do you spend quiet time with S first before you put her down for a nap and how long does she go between naps?
Just had Noah weighed ready for his check and jabs tomorrow and they were not impressed when I told them Noah had been sleeping with me!
Guess we have to really work at getting him to sleep in his cot!

bensmum I have a very obliging little girl, sometimes we have a bit of quiet time but more often than not I just wait for a few yawns or for her to get squawky and stick her in her cot. She will cry for max 5 mins then go off. She can manage being awake for between 45 and 90 mins, normally just over an hour.

TBH if Noah was my boy and he was happy sleeping in my bed and so was I I would ignore the HV and carry on as I was. You know best what works for both of you.

ledkr forgot to say, yes it was HEAVEN getting back, it's a mess in here but at least it's home :). I also feel cruel that my girls get so so tired when we're away, DD1 slept till 9 the day we got back then went for a 3 hour rest at lunch time as well. She's only now getting back to normal.

We are doing a modified Baby Whisperer routine. L usually sleeps with me at night and in his swing during the day but we're trying to move him into his cot. DH does the bedtime routine then puts him to bed in his cot and he cries for 10-20 minutes before falling asleep. One of us (usually DH, I can't take the crying) stays with him until he's almost asleep. I needed the BW to tell me that it's OK for him to cry and I don't need to rescue him every time he does. When we first did it, he cried for about a half hour with one of us shush-patting to reassure him.

Like debka said, if it's working for you, sod the HV. There are a lot of people who co-sleep and just don't talk about it because they get scolded for it. If you do it safely, what's the harm?

I've had very contrasting advice today from health visitors! The two hv at the weigh this morning were very adamant that I should put Noah in his cot for all naps and not co sleep. I've just been to baby massage and the hv there said it was fine and that you can't spoil a baby until there 8/9 months old!
I wish all hv had the same guidelines and didn't just give their personal point of view!
Am still undecided and dreading tonight now!

Bensmum - I had a midwife tell me to let L cry it out at 4 days old. It took a lot of tears (his and mine) to convince DH this was not a reasonable solution. Another midwife told me that they don't recommend cosleeping but it's perfectly safe if you follow the rules. L starts the night in his cot then comes into our bed around 1 - sometimes he wants to eat, sometimes he goes straight to sleep. I figure some time on his own is better than none.

I have a confession to make: I'm starting to feel broody again. I told DH, expecting him to talk some sense into me, but his response was "Let's have another."

angels - we need a poo update. I'm on the edge of my chair.

Wow, Expat, already! I will definitely be sticking with two!
Angels, where is our poo update??!

americanexpat Don't tell anyone but I feel the same Think 4 might be pushing it but

Bensmum I take A into bed with me if she doesn't settle in her basket at night, I remember with dd2 I resisted co-sleeping so much that no-one slept for so long and she just wanted the company [shrugging shoulders]

Sorry wiggles, it was my confusion over the hoovering! However, a half-naked fit bloke doing the hoovering isn't a bad thought to have!

I also feel sad that the newborn stage is already past, but I definitely feel 4 is pushing it!

I bring S into bed with me if he wakes up at 5 for a feed as he can't settle himself on his own then. I move all the pillows out of the way and curl up round him. Seems to work for us!

It's great to hear a few of you also bring baby into bed with you, I honestly enjoy it but always have the voice of the hv in my head saying dont do it, you'll only have to undo it all later!
Wow at Wiggles too for thinking about a fourth baby!
I'm enjoying Noah so much more now he's getting a bit older and more responsive. He was laughing at Bens godfather earlier and I just felt such a burst of pride!
Its mine and dh's wedding anniversary today, only 4 years (yes we got married when I was already 3 months pregnant! I did not wear White!). We haven't really celebrated but am thinking of arranging something for next year, maybe a weekend away but as a surprise. Poor guy works so hard and I can be a pain the arse at times!
Hope you've all had good days xx

Bensmum thinking is the important word - thinking abstractly You and hubby are practically newly weds - Mr W and I have been married for 13 years this year [cshock] A weekend away would be lovely, Mr W is 40 this year so think we are going to head away this December for a weekend.

He still winds me up because I took my sister to Paris last year instead of him!!! Well she had always wanted to go and had a bit of a stressful year so I took her, of course she had to go and meet the love of her life a few months later!! Mr W and I had never been to Paris so he's still a bit huffy about it

Jane Thinking of you tomorrow, will keep Zoe in my thoughts and hope you find the day easier than you fear xx

wiggles thank you for remembering and thinking of us, just wish my family would do the same .
I heard word about my consultant appointment today for post mortem results, it is thurs 5th may. I am so scared they have found something wrong with me, what if they tell me i cant have anymore kids? But i am mostly scared that Zoe was in pain, i don't want her to have suffered in any way. I think this is going to be the longest week of my life........

Jane I can't find the words to reassure you that Zoe wasn't in any pain but I honestly, honestly believe that she wasn't. However I know the fear that you won't be able to have kids, it so all encompassing and the knowledge of how loved Zoe was and what great parents you and your fiance would make for future babies, its so scary to think that you won't be able to share that love. But we are all here for you even if you just want to shout for a few hours a day until 5 May.

The reason I always remember the 28 Feb as well is because one of my friends daughters birthday is that day. She is in dd1 school class and she is the sweetest, most beautiful little girl. Her mum had a baby at 36 weeks that was stillborn a few years ago and I like to think of her keeping Zoe company, her baby was called Gracie.

You have no idea how much that means to me wiggles. Im sure Zoe and Gracie are having so much fun together.

Always in our thoughts Jane. [hugs]

Thinking of you today Jane xx

Another lovely day here, dd2 is at a friends house for the first time without me. Dd1 is with her, they are friends with sisters. Can't believe my baby who wouldn't sleep without me is off to spend the afternoon with her bff . Just shows how quickly they can grow up!!

Had A at GP this morning - can't seem to shift the cradle cap at all, have tried everything, he prescribed a shampoo, of course it looked much better at the appt but he was v impressed with her alertness and head control, of course it was the good looking Doctor so A was practically breaking her neck to gaze at him

oh jane I hope the time goes quickly for you and I will be thinking of you so much this week.

Just popped in to say my broadband has given up on me. No idea why. So, we are internet-less until tuesday at least which is when BT can be bothered to come and take a look. So, I will prob be very quiet on here for the next few days.

Hope all is well.

oh yeah - the poo update. She spent all yesterday afternoon screaming - I've never known anything like it. I thought it was as she had her jabs in the morning. But, then she came over all content and smiley and scerene and a couple of minutes later came a massive explosive poo . It was contained in the nappy though so not quite the explosion I was expecting. We've had nothing since though

Thinking of you today jane. Been thinking of Zoe perhaps being in pain- I don't know if they'd know that, but even if she was, she was in the absolute best place, inside her mummy, what could be more of a comfort than that?

wiggles DD1 is 2 and she STILL has cradle cap! It doesn't bother me, in fact I quite like it, it gives me something to pick at look at whilst bfing! [grossed out emoticon].

angels we had poo today!! Not a huge amount but it was only a week's worth.

Everyone's a bit grumpy in the debka household today, mainly DD1. I think she must be sickening for something (golly I sound like my mother...), she's been a miserable sod since she woke up. I feel coldy and tired and have had some bleeding- can't call it a period as there's not much of it, but v annoying. PLUS had horrid stomach cramps in the middle of the night, yuk.

I know what you mean Debka, nothing quite as satisfying as a good old head scratch I do A's when giving her a bottle.

I haven't had a period yet , A is 10 weeks old and not breast feeding, would be sure I'm not pregnant, well as sure as you can be - any ideas?

Oh bil has decided to forgive us He and his are coming to christening on Sunday, he rang Mr W the other day, ranted and raved, was quite bizarre actually but he text last night to let us know he was coming.

angels - I'm quite disappointed at the lack of true explosiveness. [cgrin]

wiggles - at your BIL. That's so kind of him to forgive you. [sarcasm emoticon]

I thought I was the only one that picked at baby's cradle cap. DH tells me not to do it but I can't help it. It's been much better since I picked off the big patches and we oil and brush his head every night. He still has a bit of dry skin but not the huge scabby bits like he used to.

We are booked into a baby massage class starting Sunday. They said it's supposed to help fussiness and poor sleepers - yes please! Though L did go to sleep last night with only 5 minutes of fussing. I think he was exhausted, I told DH he was ready for bed for a half hour before he started the bedtime routine.

jane thinking of you too and really hope 5th may comes around for you quickly. I can understand you being worried so hopefully they might be able to reassure you about Zoe not being in pain at least. Sending you big hugs xx

My baby whisperer book arrived today, am off to my mums for a couple of days so will hopefully have time to read it there!

Quick post as got lots to do, nice to catch up with everyones posts though (congrats on the poo angels )

Angels, congrats on the poo, shame that it was not the explosion we were expecting. Noah still has diarrhia, had his check today and the doc said he was perfect and not to worry about his poo as he seemed ok in himself. Jabs were cancelled as nurse ill and have been rebooked for Tuesday (my birthday), slightly annoyed as now have to have all jabs two weeks late as there needs to be a four week gap in between them.
Expat, I started baby massage yesterday and it was brilliant. The hv running the course said it helps so many things including sleep and teething! Am going to practice with Noah this weekend.
Ponyo, the baby whisperer book is good, just ignore the bits about accidental parenting as it will make you feel terrible! Im attempting to start a loose baby whisperer routine tomorrow with Noah, its hard to stick to a routine though as I have Ben to think of, plus I love going out and about so cant always follow a routine. I was really strict with Ben's routine and he thrived on it.
Is everyone looking forward to the wedding tomorrow? I have to admit I am getting a wee bit excited!
Wiggles, glad your bil has decided to grow up!
Im off to have a shower then a bottle of beer!

I can't wait for the wedding tomorrow benandnoahsmum (see what I did there?? poor Noah will be feeling left out!), I am getting all excited now, I know v v sad.... Made a lemon meringue pie today and Marinated the Meat for the Kebabs which will probably go under the grill instead of on the BBQ because it's like the bloody north sea in February here ATM.

Anyone else got a thumb sucker? S sucks on her thumb and fingers to get off to sleep and they are all red and sore. I've put some Doublebase on them but it hasn't done much, any other suggestions?

ledkr is everything ok? Haven't heard from you for a while. Come in come in... This is President Wensleydale... (O god I've been watching too much Rastamouse...)

Debka, that's bizarre, was just thinking today that I must change my username, as Noah will start feeling rejected and left out! Any suggestions? Was thinking of something like Miss Indecisive as I have clearly lost all ability to make decisions! Takes me ages to decide what to have for tea, let alone anything more important!
Ben sucks his thumb, has a permanent sore on it!
Am hoping Noah will learn how to suck his soon as it really helped Ben to settle himself! Noah will only luck his hands and fingers at the moment!
I'm glad I've found another Rastamouse sufferer! I keep hearing the darned theme tune in my head! It's enough to drive me insane!

Debka dd1 (5) started sucking her index and middle fingers together from about 2 seconds after she was born, she would suck them furiously when she was hungry or tired but I don't remember them getting sore. She still does it, I was really worried about her teeth but spoke to dentist and although he was able to tell me that she sucked her fingers before I told him, he said there shouldn't be a problem. Obviously she doen't suck them during the day anymore (at school), she does still stick them in her mouth just before she falls asleep.