The relaxed grads.

[lostindubai]

Joining from the relaxed TTC-ers. Hoping to see everyone here soon

My stats:
Age 36
DS 29 months old, still bf once a day at bedtime.
Currently 7 weeks pregnant.
History: had a mc at 9 weeks prior to DS - also had bleeding while pg with him but all was well.

Been feeling constantly ill for a week now! Last time I ate to feel better but it doesn't make any difference this time. Only actually been sick twice though. Had to fess up to the parents/PILs already as so off colour. Started taking spatone sachets today to try and increase my energy levels. Looking forward to speaking with a midwife to see what else I can do, if anything.

Hi lovely ladies hope you're all well.

Sally what a gorgeous little girl you have there! She is super Not surprised you'd like another. I would give it some time before chatting with OH about that again. It's still such early days and he may just be worrying about things which will seem easier to handle, for example, when sleep deprivation is not a thing any more. Out of interest, did you ever discuss numbers before conceiving no 1? We are finished now, I only really wanted two and I'm not sure my body would cope with another pregnancy! Also the guilt would probably finish me off, it's bad enough juggling things as they are.

And talking of sleep how is everyone doing? Dd still wakes me twice a night for a feed. I fall asleep feeding her then wake up again to return her to her cotbed, so I'm up four times a night still. Not sure how I'm coping tbh, obviously my body has adjusted somehow! She's still in our room which makes things easier but I suppose night weaning is the next step so might have to move her out for that.

We've started her on solids. Going down the puree route a la annabel karmel which is what we did with ds. He likes lots of different flavours and loves his fruits so I'm happy with how that went. Just not sure when I'll get time to do all the cooking! Less than two weeks in and it's simple stuff atm so not too taxing, although expressing milk to mix with baby rice etc has been a tad exhausting.

I think for peace of mind, doing a baby first aid course is a good idea however you decide to wean.

Dd didn't bother sitting up unaided, she has gone straight to crawling at exactly six months I think she just wanted to get to ds' toys so was extra motivated! She'll still wobble over if left sitting but she's usually on the move so doesn't really practice much it's so cute but also challenging as I can't leave her to her own devices at all. She still only cat naps in the day too so I barely get anything done. She's definitely a high needs baby!

Here she is

Wow what a gorgeous little girl Lost so alert and smiley.

OMG that she is crawling already ...Keeping you on your toes already. Am dreading DS becoming mobile. DD walked at 11 months so kind of expecting things could change fairly soon.

As for sleep it's a nightmare TBH. DS will not go down in the evening at a reasonable time instead he seems to become more alert and lively in the evening. We have tried teething powders, calpol etc to help with teething. ...the thing we struggle with is to have a consistent bedtime routine with him as all energies taken up trying to get DD down. Any advice / miracles welcome!

Once in bed ( usually when I go to bed at 10pm!) he sleeps in our bed, we are co-sleeping and feed him a couple of time a night.

All of the above is rather exhausting!

Hey everyone it's gone a bit quiet on here hope everyone is ok

Just thought I would update on my lg as she is 7 months old now
She is doing really well and is rolling over both ways now, staying siting up in a sitting position without support and can now eat pasta and tuna properly so we are doing baby led weaning after all and she loves it

She keeps trying to stand up and will stand up while I'm holding on to one arm she is trying to crawl as well tho so not sure which she will do first it's all very exciting and a bit scary as well.

How are all your little ones are they crawling? Standing up? Sitting? It's an exciting time watching them learn new things each day isn't it

Well speak to you all soon I love hearing your updates x

Hi Sally, Lost, Infrance all gone a bit quiet hope you and the babes are all well.

So pleased to hear that baby led weaning going well Sally...it's fun when they start to eat if a little messy at times! DS doing well eats most things you put In front of him seems less fussy than his sister.

Just started commando crawling so can move about a bit now. Also babbling lots and does a high pitch squeal and a v squawk like a parrot! Lots of smiles but am just noticing the start of separation anxiety seems more clingy than usual.

We have made some progress with bedtime routine have now got him going down in his cot in the evening which makes a big difference. Still ends up in our bed due to feeding through night but I guess it is going in the right direction if a little more slowly than we would like...

Find my thoughts turning more and more to the return to work. Due back in Feb know next couple of months will fly by. It just goes so quickly and a bit if me is sad that this special time will end. Does anyone else feel like that?

Anyway have fun enjoying the little ones and their first Christmas 🎄

Hi ladies, yes it's a bit quiet but it's nice to just pop in once in a while to see how everyone is. I don't MN much at the moment as I've taken over a local maternity and nursing clothes buy/sell group on Facebook - I'm trying to get more newly pregnant ladies to find it as I had no idea such a thing existed when I was pg and it might very well have come in handy!

Sally we're doing BLW too, I hate it though! So messy, always end up with an outfit change or at worst a full bath afterwards (her, not me ) After about three weeks of traditional weaning she started refusing the spoon. Sigh!

Thank you Apple she's progressed onto pulling herself up, not quite cruising yet but not far off. Re sleep, I'm still up 2-3 times a night, but we've managed to get her back to sleep a few times without feeding, just rocking (me or dp do can take turns at least), but yes, I'm exhausted most of the time! We've also started using her lights and music ladybird as a sleeping cue. Hopefully one day it's all she'll need.

Not thinking about work just yet as not back till April, but I really will need to as soon as Christmas is out of the way. Are you changing hours or anything Apple?

Just popping on to say I hope everyone had a fantastic first Xmas with their bubbas and are all keeping well have a fantastic new year xx

Thanks Sally hope you had a fab first Christmas with your LO. Wishing all Mamas a rest over the festive period. Hoping you can be looked after. Am enjoying family time and looking forward to New year this includes returning to work in Feb, a final holiday on mat leave in Jan...know it will go quick! Happy New Year everyone!

Hey everyone just thought I would pop a message on here dont know if anybody still checks on here but was just wondering how you are all doing and how the baby's are as we all approach their first birthdays x

Hi Sally (and Apple!) Yes I'm still about. Should be sleeping as dd is and she'll be waking up any minute!! But, oh well...

I've got ds' 4th birthday to think about before dd turns 1. I can't recall whose baby was born first now out of all of us! It's been a tough 10 months what with the house improvements and dd having health issues etc, but it's gone too quickly. She had her 10 month review with the health visitor today and she's doing fine. Tomorrow we're taking her swimming for the first time. I haven't tried on my swimsuit yet - hope it still fits! Possibly won't ever wear my bikini again due to stretchmarks. Grrr!

Hope you're all keeping well x

Hi Sally and Lost good to hear from you guys. Yes it's an exciting time DS just turned 10 months and agree it has gone quick. Too quick am back at work now and seems like I have never been away ..Glad to hear your DD is doing well Lost, hope she enjoyed her first swimming experience?
We will be thinking of a little tea party for his first birthday ( can currently hear him snoring on the baby monitor). Hope everyone else who has posted for a while is also doing well x

Hey guys just thought I would share this pic with you all of My little girls 1st birthday today! How's everyone getting on? Hope all the babies first birthdays went/go well I think about you ladies all the time hope you are all doing ok take care xx

Hi everyone...I'm so sorry I haven't posted in a long time. It has been a tough tough year. Dd2 turns one on monday...hard to believe we have made it this far. I am still suffering from pnd but attend counselling which helps and made lots of mummy friends who have been a great support. Dd2 is amazing! She is walking (has been since 9 months), starting to say a few words, crawls up stairs, a big smiler and just so beautiful. She is still suffering from reflux and on meds for it so I'm worried it might turn into lifelong gerd like dd2 has.
To be honest the kids health problems plus crappy pregnancies are the trigger for my pnd according to my counsellor. While it's been tough I am glad to have almost made it through the first year. I am not returning to work having quit my job so dont have to stress about that I guess.

Sally happy belated bday to your lo. Shes gorgeous! Lost and apple have your los turned one too? If so happy belated bday to them too. To those who have returned to work...hope it is going well. Xx

Hi all lovely to hear from you. Yes my girl turned one in April and I went back to work about a month ago. She did enjoy her swimming thanks Apple, in fact I'm thinking of doing some lessons with her later this year. We did a Center Parcs holiday in March and she loved being in the water every day.

Glad to see the back of the first year tbh, as I expect you are too Reebok. I'm still under the mesch programme with the health visitor. It's been so stressful but I'm hoping by going to work again will help me turn a corner. I was in a bit of a bubble and it's nice to think and talk about non baby things a few days a week. I'm lucky that I enjoy my work and have lovely colleagues.

Gorgeous photo of your little girl Sally ❤ It's so lovely that you came here on her birthday to post a pic!

I was thinking as it can feel a bit slow on here (I personally don't log on very often any more), what do you guys think of having a small private Facebook group for us all? I'm happy to set one up. It would mean we can share photos more readily, offer support more regularly and actually see each other after all this time! PM me if you think you'd like that, I'd love it personally

Hello everyone!
I am embarrassed to see how ridiculously long it's been.... I've had my head down with work, and I don't have a mumsnet app on my phone so I never check it much, and don't know when you all leave posts! So, I think a Facebook group is a nice idea... although a part of me likes the anonymity on here too...

But it's lovely to read messages from everyone and see how you're all doing and your beautiful babies are growing up too fast just like mine!

We are all doing pretty well overall, S has grown into the most loving, hilarious, mardy, fun toddler. Total character. She kisses me all the time, has started nodding for yes, and can point at her nose. We're still sleeping together, and she still needs at least two feeds a night- we have only had one night EVER where she had a single feed after 11pm. So, very tired a lot, but mainlining coffee and doing ok; bedtimes are often easy thanks to the wraps (I now have an epic collection!) and she doesn't usually wake before 6.30-7.30, so those are blessings.

Things with husband have had ups and downs but we finally had a fantastic beach holiday last month which although not relaxing (by ourselves the with two kids!), it was refreshing for us. And we have had some good conversations and are trying harder to not let the tired-induced snappiness build up walls between us.

So sorry to hear Reebok that you've been having extended tough times with PND and the reflux continuing for your poor little one, but really glad you've managed to get some help. You are really a bloody trooper and I have absolutely no doubt that had I been through what you have, I would have been a total wreck x

It sounds like you've had hard times too Lost although I can't find exactly what it is by reading back, except for mesch.
Lovely that you little one is enjoying swimming, S loves it too.

And great to read updates from Sally and Apple too that you're getting on so well.

Attached is a recent photo from the holiday.

Hey Infrance so great to hear from you, your DD looks so sweet in the photo thanks for sharing that. Glad you had a good holiday as a family, but sorry to hear that things have been tricky with your DH. Hope that you guys are coming back from your holiday refreshed and recharged ( as much as that's possible with young children!)

Will share a pic of my boy swimming which he loves! My DS is a right little character very cheeky with a great sense of humour/ fun. He has just started to say a few more words, 'bubbles' and 'flower' being his latest.

We have just come back from a holiday with the in-laws which was great in lots of ways as they babysat so we had a couple of nights out minus kids , but also is quite intense. They are very indulgent of my DH so he gets a complete break but it is less of a break for me as Father in law is a bit of a chauvinist and expects women to do everything!

Am keen for a Facebook group if others are would love to see how you are all doing

Was just about to reply to the thread when dd2 threw water from her beaker over dd1 who ended up in tears. The life of a mummy eh!
Lovely to hear about the great family breaks. We still havent attempted it. Kids already drive me bonkers here! Great about a few nights to you and dh apple. Pity about the fil.

Thanks france. I'm getting there. I keep reminding myself how blessed I am to be able to have kids since I lost 2 babies. Re co sleeping.. whatever gets you through. I still co sleep with dd2.

She had her first bday which was fab. She's starting to talk and at the moment her fave words...more and yeh.

Lost and I have added each other on fb..anyone else want to join so we can create a relaxed grads thread? Completely understand anyone wishing to remain annonymous. X

Ps beautiful pics x

InFrance brilliant to hear from you, was wondering how you are. Sounds like we're at a similar stage, my dd stays in with me half the night, gets up at least twice for a feed and is causing me huge amounts of sleep deprivation! I'm sure there's an end in sight somewhere... Hehe! I agree the toddler stage is lots of fun, they are just so cute. Dd is also pointing at her nose and is walking/running and has a few words including 'owl' and 'baby'!

Apple glad you got some date nights in, very important that. We've done that twice since February. Must prioritise it more I think!

Gorgeous pics of both the kiddies 😍

Also just to let you all know there are already three of us in our brand new Facebook group! Looking for new members I know what you mean about anonymity InFrance, but the way I look at it is that anyone who knows me could probably identify me from what I've posted anyway, and I do use other names on here sometimes which is easily done. It's a secret group so can't be found by searching. PM me and I'll add you if you like x

Epic x post with Reebok

Re family breaks - first one when dd was 5 months and ds 3.5 was AWFUL, worst holiday ever. Second one slightly better as dd was almost 1 and ds 4. Also took my mum with us which did help. Still not in a hurry to do another one though!!

Just popping in to see if InFrance or anyone else has been back

Hope everyone's well x

Hi Lost, hope you are well yeah would be great to hear from Infrance it has been great having the Facebook page though for some updates and cute pics!