Due in April 2007 - Men Beware ....... !!?

[CaptainDippy]

I got there 1st!

Tee! Hee!

How are we all? I've been trying to get online all day, but computer is playing up - Grrrr!

Anyway, better late than never .....

No, will go and have a look now.
I hope to breastfeed but anything can happen! Think I'll need more support with that than anything else.

Hi ladies!
I've been busy reading that labour funny moments thread - god my sides are aching from laughing - a very enjoyable hour or so reading all that. Just a quick catch up on here before I go and pick James up from Nursery.

I intend to breastfeed for longer this time (managed 6 weeks with James) as I feel that it was all too much last time for me to carry on with it, this time I am hoping I will feel a bit more confident and relaxed rather than totally pressured!
I have to say that it is one of my good friends who has really encouraged me this time - I really admire her she has 3 kids, didn't BF at all with first as just couldn't get to grips with it and managed well 2nd time round and is still breastfeeding her third and he is 6 months...she makes it all seem so easy...I think it really helps if you have someone you can really trust and confide in nearby to help you...last time I just had a nagging Health Visitor and judging from my friend the key seems to be to be very relaxed about the whole thing (easier said than done).

not pregnancy related alert
Talking of food...and I know it's not on topic but I never venture off into other threads on here - too scared! But would love any tips from those of you with kids already....Having a nightmare - really stressing over lack of fruit, veg and generally anything healthy in James diet. I have been going along for a while thinking "I won't force the issue and pressure him" and giving him what he wants, but his diet mainly consists of weetabix, toast, milk, sausages, beans, baked potato, waffles, spaghetti, pasta and vegetable sauce, grapes, bananas and then crap that my mother feeds him (cakes, sweets etc) I don't give him these at home (I eat all the crap in this house!lol) and he has yoghurt coated raisins and cereal bars for snacks.
I just feel like he doesn't eat any meat or any vegetables - he just refuses them.
I decided to tackle it again today and got the old faithful Annabel Karmell Toddler Meal planner out and made him a Cheese sandwich on brown with chopped up Cherry Tomato, cucumber and carrot sticks on the side for lunch...He ate absolutley none of it...but did venture to put a cherry tomato in his mouth several times but did not actually bite it....
I didn't make a fuss and took it away after about half an hour and he went to nursery with no lunch ....
I will keep trying and as Phil and I intended to have stir fry for tea I have lovingly prepared a small portion with all the veg cut up really small and will call it a "Sportacus Stir Fry"....thing is I know it will probably go the same way as his lunch...
I really want to persevere but he is a strong willed little bugger and I am sure his iron will not to eat will win out to me worrying he will starve.
Any tips? Help? Advice? Should I just stop stressing...really want him to eat a wide variety of healthy food or am I just expecting too much from a 2 and a half year old.

Sorry it's so long and sorry to those without kids...yet!
xxxx

Busy again I see!

MIAM, my dd was the same, but I have to say she is great now and often asks for fruit.
Does James get fed at nursery? Becky did and still does 3 days per week, so I kind of felt ok, because I knew the meals were balanced and even better, she actually ate it all. I think it is peer pressure!

Can you ask your mum to stop giving him cakes etc and just save those for special occasions?

What about giving him a star/sticker every time he eats a piece of fruit or veg? Once he gets 10 starts he could get a small gift.

At least he is eating banana and grapes.
Is he healthy? If so, I wouldn't worry too much tbh. You can always buy some vitamin c drops that you can drop in to his food if you are really worried.

Hope this helps a bit.

I used to fret about it a bit, then I thought it was probably doing none of us any good.
Good Luck!!

MIABT - my DS is younger than yours so I don't yet explain quite that level of wills from him but I'm sure no child ever starved themselves out of stubborness. I have had moments of worry too partic when on hols and all DS ate was chips, carrots, bananas and yoghurts! Yours will be getting most of what he needs even with a limited diet - protein in his milk, sausages, beans; carbs in the cereals, bread and pasta and you say he does eat veg sauce, grapes, bananas and raisons so some vits there - so try not to worry too much. Think you are totally right not to make it an issue as such as then the little bug*s just dig their heels in more. Have you tried the various fruit pots you can buy in the baby section? They are more weaning foods really as are very smooth but DS loves them and he's not great on pieces of fruit. You could try spreading them on his toast even!
Someone told me once that you have to offer a food at least 20 times to get a baby to accept it and I think that's why DS is not good on fruit as I didn't presever with it long enough - although he eats all sorts of things at nursery he won't touch at home !
HTH.

SOL x-postyed with you! And should be expect not explain!

MIAM - don't fret about it too much - as long as they get some fruit and veg its fine - make sure you have something from each food group every day. Mine have been through so many phases it baffles me - but they have recently started eating mountains of cabbage and potatoes which they have refused to eat for years and it wasn't me pushing it at all - I had given up - came home one day and said thats what they wanted! I would say mine eat most stuff now - but we don't do sauces on anything (except tomato ketchup!!) - they like plain food. Chicken burritos and meatball kebabs are new additions to the menu which is great. Also, just in case you didn't know - Power Rangers eat salad

Met up with Birdiebump today which was lovely - ds's had great time chasing eachother around. Jump is a really good place to meet - maybe next one could be postnatal??? Have taken pic of the boys - will get head around downloading it later!

Can't remember who asked about the dress - will take picture and post here too.

Must go - football tonight - not me though LOL!

I'm just quickly popping in to let you all know that it went well with my scan and the consultant, It was quite cute one of the babies was resting its head on the others tummy, all very cosy in there.

Dh was late so he missed the scan and was very upset, his own fault though.

The consultant was busy doing something else so he only popped in quickly to see me, and we didn't get a scan from him, so I still don't know if the sex's he told me last time are right-

he didn't give me a date for my c-section, although he did say it would be either 37 or 38 weeks

And we have just got our car sorted out, it is the new c8 from citron, (I have to have a really childish moment here)
IT IS SO COOL!!!
instead of a key to open the doors they open at the push of a button by sliding open all very space age. Again I have to say it is so cool.

Hopefully I will have some more time to catch up tommmrow.

Glad to hear everything was well, annoying that you couldn't get the sexes confirmed.
Do you ever feel (like me) that you're just meant to be surprised?

1b3 - glad the scan went well. Shame you couldn´t find out sooner what sexes they are for sure, maybe next time??

MIAM - I don´t have kids but my little sister was such a fussy eater. She would go through periods of only eating hot dogs (without the buns) or just prawns or just...and only eat that one thing. I think my parents just left her alone (well she was their third and she is 7 years younger than me and 10years younger than my older sis so I think they were in general pretty experienced and relaxed by then), they knew it wouldn´t kill her and that she´d be okay.

She´s always been a fussy eater and even now the list of things she won´t touch runs longer than my average weekly shopping list but she´s always been healthy, sporty, happy etc etc etc

I don´t have kids yet so I can imagine I´ll be back on here in a couple of years eating (no pun intended) my words but just trying to help

Oh my god, I am not even halfway down but I had to come back in to say I am absolutely PMSL at that labour thread.

1b3 - glad it all went well for you today

Maveta - sympathise with the dh/mil situation. We have those silences after an argument too I've told dh that day I don't shout/argue, is the day I stop caring about anything.

Quick question cos ds needs his bath - should I tell my boss about SPD? It doesn't affect my work at all (in fact, it seems to be better in work )

Sorry I missed the meet up today - sounds like you had a great time

It was great meeting with BBCFK today ! Her little Ted is a total sweetie!

Just caught up on the thread and to those who want to do better with breastfeeding this time, or want to try it for the first time I can wholeheartedly recommend "What to expect when your breastfeeding and what if you can't". I have breastfed 2 - one for 14 months(!) and DS2 for 6 months, which I found much harder. This book has stuff in it that I didn't know and has convinced me that with DS2 I could have actually made things a lot easier for myself. Really worth getting and addresses every breastfeeding worry or problem you could possibly have. Also, she doesn't patronise or beat around the bush - in some cases she actually recommends people give up and go to bottles if they really have to.

good evening folks - phew - what a catch up!

elliek - i love that funny childbirth thread - been reading it for a while and keep calling dp to hear another funny tale - for me ussually involving G&A, breaking waters or farts.....
nuttygirl - sympathy on toenails - have to contort myself every shape but - found a pair of longer handled clippers that should help for about .. oh another 2 weeks at the rate these thighs, hips, bum cheeks and belly is growing! feel full o' baby at the mo. as if there is 5 xmas lunches in there!
pesha - when is yr next scan??
1B3 - yr car doors sound cool - isnt it still great when we get things that make us go "ooooh!"
maveta - i know things are more resolved but u do sound a pretty mellow lady and whilst the hormones may be raging - u must have been well peeved to react like that. i dont think the 1st time blokes are able to see what they are gaining with the little one , as opposed to not being able to do...

C Dippy / drippy - hope u r feeling better and not too washed out. bit poo to be trumping round in the wind and rain.

off to sort out big onion and his next mercy trip for mumsnetters..

birdie - i just got that bf book through the post from another MNetter. glad to hear its a good one..

evening all

glad to hear things are working through with your dh maveta. Must say, all this talk of dh/p's hobbies, I am beginning to think I need to push mine out the door more!He doesn't really have any hobbies as such. No sporting/musical/social interests!! Oh dear! What have I married! At least I know he'll be around loads for me and the bambino.

1b3 - how cute are your dts!! Having a little love up in your tummy, that's soooo sweet.

runny - even though your spd doesn't effect work at the mo, it might be worth mentioning it incase things change in the next few weeks and it does begin to effect you at work. That's my initial response anyway!!

MIAm - i don't have any kids yet. But when I want more fruit and can't be bothered to chomp through an apple, i whizz up a milkshake/smoothie with fresh fruit (strawbs,rasps,blueberries etc - buy frozen, much cheaper!). Would that work for your ds? Maybe you could get a special glass and straw that he could have all to himself. Not sure if that is helpful at all!

I'm totally flaking out on the sofa tonight. Feel like i've not stopped all day!

Had some good news- dh has met someone from a nearby village who is exmidwife and now bf councellor 3 days/wk and does reflexology/massage and has offered to help/councel me with bf-ing! Really chuffed. I'm really keen to bf, but am worried i might find it difficult. Might get that book you recommend birdie, sounds good.

ok, i made a batch of biscuits last night and have scoffed the lot! Am trying really hard to resist making another batch tonight. I can see myself ending up eating 4oz of butter a day just in biscuits!!! AHHH! I think i need bigonion bernard, but with some fresh fruit on board!

eca - Big onion is on his way to you- strawberries, grapes, pomegrantes and melon on board ( it is one heck of a size of a barrell!)

Thanks SOPL, BBCFK, Maveta and Hotlipsmummy re James eating. I think I just need to keep at it and chill out.

I was pleasantly surprised at tea...it wasn't looking good when I told him in the car that he was having "Sportacus Stir Fry" for tea and was met with " I no want Sportacus Pie I want Pizza"

Had a point blank refusal at the tea tabe until I decided that the noddles were in fact "Wiggly worms" and Mummy ate them like a bird and I bet him he couldn't do it - as it was a big game and Daddy had a go to he ate ALL the noodles. So funny though little sod picked every single bit of veg and chicken off first! BUT it's at least something different, he licked a carrot (cos I dared him) and he also ate 3 raspberries after (a new fruit he wouldn't try before) so I feel quite good...will keep trying....so easy to let it all slip and give them in tea in front of TV and leave them to it instead of encouraging them up at the table (Phil and I eat later as Phil is in late from work each night.)

SOL - as for the "Mum not giving him cakes" thing - that is a whole other battle....*bangs head against brick wall....I wish she had let me eat Jammie Dodgers morning noon and night when I was a kid!

1b3 - glad scan was ok and sorry for you that the sex couldn't be confirmed....bet you could do woth finding out for all the logistics?!

Drippy - hope you are feeling a bit better - early night for you me thinks!

Runny - I would only tell boss just in case something comes up at work and you can't do it because it affects your SPD.....might be difficult trying to explain itto him...men don't tend to want info re "womens probs" at the best of times...maybe find some info on the net that gives him a brief guide?? (For some reason I am assuming your boss is male...apologies if wrong).

Glad the meet up went well...hope the weather everywhere is better than here. It is torrential wind and blowing a gale. They let Phil go early from his course in the Lakes so he could get home before it went dark - I was so releived when he walked through the door at 4pm as was really worried about him driving home.

Football was on and he was not even through the door for 5 mins...and he is watching it now...I of course cooked and washed up and put James to bed......cos he was "tired after the course"....he then let it slip he was up till 1.30am drinking in the hotel bar so my patience is already wearing a bit thin...especially as James has had me on the go since 5.30 this morning. Man rant programme terminating

Birdiebump...Thanks for the nod on the breastfeeding book - gonna go and see if can order it online or pick up a copy on e-bay now.

x

Eca - thanks for that - If I wasn't so lazy I would...thankfully Innocent Smoothies do go down a treat but at £3 a bottle he only gets them every few weeks.....would be much cheaper to whizz it up myself I know! BAD MUMMY!
x

Evening ladies

Haven't managed to read thread or should I say threads yet, will catch up in a mo.

Been very busy here, we sorted/packed/decorated and cleaned the house over the weeekend. I am absolutley exhausted, didn't know whether to laugh or cry most of the time . We had the house valued and all ok.
Then today, have had a total hormonal muppet day. The estate agent was around all morning doing measurements and photos etc. no problem there.
After lunch I went to see my mw. Was waiting outside and noticed other mums to be coming out with their blood forms. I went in had a nice chat, bean seems to be bigger than my previous and she said that he was head down dont remember being told that this early before. She then hands me my blood form which I was expecting and another form. Blood transfusion form I know that I have had two previous PPHs and transfusions but this was slightly too big a dose of reality Was not happy.
Left doctors got in the car and the battery was as flat as a pancake - nice. Phoned breakdown who must have taken pity on me (ds was yelling through the entire phone call) RAC was there within 10 minutes. He got the car running and started to look for the reason that the battery had gone flat. I had to open the boot and he looked in, looked at the bump and looked at me with that scared rabbit in the headlights look. I had completely forgotten that I had hidden the ironing in there for when the estate agent was round OMG so embarassed. Just tried to act normal - everyone keeps there ironing in the boot dont they????
Then had to drive car around for 45 minutes to charge the battery so was running an hour and a half behind when I got home. Had chopped umpteen onions for my Ghoulash and then no oxo cubes so sent dh to shop and was so busy fuming at myself for being such a muppet that I put basil in the pot instead of mixed herbs . Managed to skim most of them off and nobody seemed to notice!
I dont think that I dare touch anything else today. Well maybe some chocolate......
I'm of to catch up with what you girls have been up to. Apologies for long post

miam - reread your post and it sounds like he's getting some fruit anyway and the real issue is veggies - which my suggestion most certainly would not help with! Sorry! Now i'm beginning to panic - what will i do if my lo wont eat fruit and veg!! Ok, am a bit premature there. Must calm down.

Thanks for fruit barrel WO! LOL at thought of some poor dog weighed down with fruit for me. ha.

Oh back to dh..I just gave him his dinner and sent him off. Poor guy looks so miserable, I guess it´s not that appealing; a night in a hospital chair instead of at home in bed next to me. He did come and take me for a burger and chips at lunchtime so we could have a right old chinwag. All cool. We´re both pretty chilled out really and our arguments are quite pathetic in terms of either anger or duration. We´d just prefer not to feel angry or annoyed so make up as soon as possible..I know, GAG.

But it still stumps me that his mother needs to be babysat, just as we said before..best not to meddle in each other´s family cos that thar is daaaaangerous territory for anyone You know she even asked that he stay til 9am in the morning instead of leaving at 8.30am because his sister wouldn´t arrive til 9am. families.

I´m still reading that thread and got to the one where the poster suddenly blurts out ´I´m a sheeeeeeeep´. Fuck it, just typing it again now has me sitting here belly laughing!!

Runnyhabbit - YES tell your boss, better he knows in case it does become a problem

Birdie - thanks for the recommendation, will go look that book up now. I´ve been taking notes on all the books you have all recommended. Looks like baby budget is being syphoned off in an unexpected direction

Ib3 - congrats on the new car..LOVE gadgety things like the doors too..very cool!

Eca - Don´t wish that on anyone! Never wish a man has a hobby or interest, they take it so much more seriously than women do, sometimes it´s hard to believe it´s something he does for pleasure it is taken so seriously.

Nuttygirl - I´ve been giving this idea of dh having to trim me some thought and I think it would save everyone a lot of trouble if I just get the lot whacked off next time I go for a wax. I already get a fair bit off so hey, what´s a bit more? And that way I avoid the lovely mohican look I was so worried about.

Eca - not necessarily re. your last post to MIAM - how about carrot and orange juice freshly done? Supposed to be really yummy..

I started reading the thread, phone rang and then 10 more posts! Have completely forgotten everything except CD now called Drippy!

I realised today that can hardly do my long boots up - when did that happen ??

Haven't got round to photos yet...

Someone mentioned Boden - saw a nice blue spotty raincoat on the website - but is £75 - but it is waterproof and has a hood so very practical! My coat still does up but have to undo it when sit down!

Off to bed soon zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Oh flumppootle--what a crappy day. Big hugs to you. Look on the bright side, that´s got to be a week´s worth of crappiness out of the way so you should be free of bad luck/ dippiness for a wee while now