Fab Feb Thread: 22 on show........33 to go.......!!!!

[spottyshoes]

Ooo I feel all important now.

Hello everyone. got back yesterday evening. Birth story on FB and photos to follow as is name once DH & I can agree a spelling (it's a welsh name with several variants.

Baby very cute. Much more sleepy and laid back than his big brother was. Big Brother being great though not sure how long he'll be able to sustain it. Co-sleeping with 2 and tandem feeding are interesting but working!

MOS - have you read this on the kellymom site?

PT hope you manage to contain things!

Congratulations THOM....look forward to hearing the name

PT...hope all is OK...FWIW my 20month DD has just had a D&V bug, and somehow I managed not to transfer it to DS....thankfully...so fingers crossed Aaron stays clear.

herb....I'm with you on the mum thing and toddler thing....except my mum is 45 minutes away and doesn't drive....she has been great but when she left on Tuesday, she couldn't get out of here quickly enough .

My insurance company is also Admiral and I rung them yesterday and yes, I* can drive again.........thank god for that!

MOS Hope you can get that tongue tie sorted asap.....will they not snip it for you over there?

Must admit, it is hard going from 1 DC to 2....in this house, its who screams the loudest that gets the attention

MrsY....you'll be fine when DH goes back to work....it is lovely just being you and babs....although on a bad day, its also very nice when DH gets home and you get a break....my advice would be to try and get out each day....even if its for a walk around the block. Makes you get up, washed and dressed if nothing else. I'm up and dressed every day, even if I'm not going anywhere.

Right, I've also got visitors today, so better tidy round a bit.......

Hope all today's cs ladies are ok and everything went/is going well.
thom congrats again, will look on fb later when I have more time and ds1 is in bed and dp stops asking me stupid questions....
he's decided now is the best time to sort out our wardrobe, I did tell him when we were packing to move to throw some things away, but oh no, that would've been far too easy!

I can't wait for dp to go back to work on monday, he is driving me crazy! I need him out of my face and I need to get back to normal, everything is just hard work with him here all the time. That sounds awful doesn't it?

MrsY You will be fine when dh goes to work. I was a bit paniced by the thought of it last time, but it really is great being on your own with baby. I don't know about you, but I always felt in the early days that everyone, dp, my parents etc, were watching and waiting for me to do something really stupid (thankfully IK was on my own when I did some pretty silly things, apart from when I dropped ds1 infront of dp and my mum ) so being on our own was great for bonding and confidence building. I know it's quite scary atm, but it gets better and after the first week on your own, you'll be loving it

LBB....the only time my DD done a head over heels off her changing unit and fell on her head was when my MIL was staying ...I stayed upstairs crying for ages, and only came down when I was sure DD was OK and I had composed myself and I could ignore all the comments!!

I have to say, I was also glad when my DH went back to work this week (and I think he was pretty relieved too), so with you on that one!

THOM, congratulations on LO's arrival, look forward to name in due course. I second what you say about co-sleeping/tandam feeding. I thought DD had lost interest in b/f until Harrison came along Quite interesting with one on each side at the same time. Wonder if that will speed up weight loss
Thank you so much for that link THOM, really interesting and I'd not heard of that website before.

LMN, very jealous of you being able to drive again.

DH and I are talking about maybe flying me back to the UK earlier than planned to see a specialist about DS's tongue if we can't get a referral out here.

swampy, next time you are in touch with Spotty please send her hugs and good luck in case she has LO before her internet is up. Is she still knocking back the nail varnish remover?

Hello ladies

Am home after hospital experience from hell. Haven't quite caught up on everyone's posts but I think someone else - littleboyblue maybe - also had bleeding a few weeks after birth. All I can say is get yourself in to see a doctor or midwife now!!

My bleeding suddenly increased on day 10/11 post partum and continued for a couple more days, and was dark and red again. But I felt fine and didn't really have have any other symptoms. Fortunately I kept talking to my lovely midwife who advised a scan just to be safe. Scan showed retained membranes and possibly a piece of placenta so booked in for d&c just to be on safe side. However I haemorrhaged in theatre - thank god I had gone into hospital. I lost a litre and a half of blood and woke up attached to numerous drips and machines.

Am now home. DP stayed with me in hospital. I was so weak I couldn't even lift my baby. He stayed with me and lifted the baby to my breast so she could feed, carried me to the toilet etc. The doctors didn't give me a blood transfusion because it has it's own complications apparently and I am young and fit, but I looked like a beaten up ghost. My skin was almost see-through. Scary times. So all I want to say is don't ignore bleeding that suddenly comes back or seems a bit odd - get it checked!.

Hi everyone, sorry not to have been on for a while. It's half term and have been very busy with visitors and generally occupying the kids. DS3 now has chicken pox (following on fron DS2 having it the previous fortnight ). Thinking of drawing a cross on the front door and re-naming out house 'The Plague House'. DS2 is very itchy , but struggling through courageously. DS1 had it before so he is out of the woods.

Luckily for me, Mabel is very contented and is sleeping and feeding well. The midwife said she should have immunity from me/my milk ,so I am hoping she doesn't get it just yet.

Four children (three of them under 4) is very busy and particularly on the days when I have been alone I have just had to prioritise and aim low !! I am, though, considering getting a cleaner to come and clean my floors every week. I keep muttering 'holiday club' under my breath when it gets very busy, but actually when they are all playing nicely together and swooning round the baby, I think...'yes, I can do this.' . Roll on school next week for DS1/2 though.

THOM and all the others that have given birth since I was last on - Big Hugs and Congrats !! Hopefully those who are struggling with pain from stitches and feeding will heal up soon and be happy mums.

Oooh, Mamagoose, sounds scary - well done you for getting sorted out. Hope you fell more human again soon .

Crumbs, MamaGoose - how scary.

I know what you mean about the see-through skin, I lost just over a litre of blood a delivery. How are your iron levels, etc? Are you on any supplements?

Sorry to hear of various lurgies, laidback and pinktulips, hope things improve soon.

Dinky - my cousin is a norland nanny, and she has only ever had one job, for 15 years!!! All 3 boys are at secondary school, but she still lives rent free in a flat in the Barbican and is paid full time as a driver/housekeeper/chef type role... If you want to keep continuity for DS1 and have the same nanny in 6 months time it's not feasible to make to take a break. If DS1 was at nursery he'd still go, and it will be nice for DS2 to get to know the nanny with you there all the time. Re: money - can she reduce her hours a touch?

PT - hope you manage to contain the D&V and find some way to get your duvets dry. Sorry for all those who are going through DC illnesses with new arrivals.

Spottyshoes - good to hear she's ok - I'd go bonkers without an internet connection. would save a lot of money though with no online shopping temptation ....

Mrsy - I was like LMN with DD when DH went back to work it was v important for me to be showered, dressed and made up () before he left. I am very lucky that DH works 5 mins down the road and his hours are 9.30am - 6pm so I had no excuse!!!

Herbgarden - glad your Mum came through ! I'm having problems with lack of family support so know it's hard. In fact I feel quite let down by them so far but there you go.

Dinky - think it's great to keep on the nanny - good for DS1, good for you, good for nanny! I'm hoping we can affrod to keep O in nursery 2 days a week while i'm on Mat leave. This time last year (before returning to work) I wouldn't have believed I would feel that way!!! No guilt now though .

THOM - good to hear from you am going to try to get on Facebook later to catch up....

Mamagoose - that sounds awful and I hope you are recovering well. Must have been very firghtening for you all. Glad DP could stay with you.

Laidback - and respect for coping with that many children AND chicken pox! Hope Mabel remains immune.

Not much news from me. My alternative childcare arrangement has fallen apart due to a family bereavement so we're now on Plan K. Been getting some properly painful cx today but not very often and only about 30 secs long. An improvement on the painless BH's though. Can't wait to meet my little man.

Peppa Pig DVD arrived this morning so looking forward to a viewing with DD tomorrow .

Signing off now so take care everyone!!!

Yes on iron supplements twice a day. Had an iron drip afterwards - it looked like I was on IV coca-cola. I lost a litre of blood at delivery too but at the point of haemorrhage I was almost two weeks post-partum so didn't have all the extra pregnancy blood anymore.

Sorry to hear of your b-feeding probs. I had bleeding nipples with DS2. I used to cry every time he latched on. You have my sympathies because it really is agony. I don't think the blood did him any harm - they've been in your body until recently! I used to let my boobs air-dry for a bit afterwards and rub milk round the nipple.

Catstar just a quickie to say not sure what your plan K is but in the end we decided that DH would stay with DS and my best friend was with me for the birth of DS2 and it was brilliant. It was a decision I struggled with for a while but DH felt he would be most useful supporting DS and I was getting so worried about how DS1 would be without us I thought I'd be too tense to give birth! I was a tiny bit wobbly when I had to go and be stitched in theatre and they ran through all the various risks but apart from that it was good decision.

LMN I was talking to hv yesterday when she came round, she was saying about a boy she had seen for his 12 or 18 month check (I don't remember which one it was) and he wasn't walking on his own and she was saying she thought it was down to the mother not giving him the opportunity to do it for fear that he'd fall and hurt himself which is when I toldher about the number of times I dropped ds1 and how because of that when he falls now or hits his head it's no big deal because I've known that if he could bounce when he was a tiny 6 day old, not much will get him now iyswim, so all our little accidents were a blessing in disguise!

MamaGoose Apologies for language, but fucking hell!!!!!! (yes it was me that asked about bleeding starting after a few 'clear' days) That sounds absolutely awful, I dread to think what would have happened to you if you hadn't got to hospital. Pleased to hear you are well.
I haven't bled at all today, although got tose pains back this morning but were very mild compared to how they were so am back on the pain killers.

MamaGoose

MamaGoose jesus - It sounds like you have had it tough - Thanks for passing on the advice. I wouldnt have thought anything of it if I started to bleed heavier again, so its nice to be aware.

I hope you are slowly starting to recover & feel a little more normal afte everything.
xx

Congrats THOM glad your home & doing well, I will check ou facebook later

Gosh Mama what an ordeal you've been through - how scary for you. Hope you get on the mend soon.

laidback - you put me to shame - 3 under 4 - you are a saint ! I think I might have been sectioned by now if that was me .

lbb - I was quite relieved when DH went back to work . It was so peaceful ! (DS went off to nursery the same day).

MOS - shall we say my friend has "aspirations"....and unfounded. I never forget her asking, when DH and I were both working in quite well paid jobs in London "what do you doooo with your money?" Clearly she thought we just weren't being flash enough . I was so shocked I didn't know what to say tbh.

My mum has offered for me to take DD over to her house tomorrow night (leaving DS with DH ) and she said I could stay in the spare room and she'll sleep with DD and do all the night feeds but at least I'm only next door if I was worried about anything. I'm taking her up on it and am quite excited .

Just finishing my curry takeaway - yum yum - and am shortly off to my bed (again!). Had my first beer in forever. I keep forgetting I can officially drink "properly" again.

ooohhh...herb im just about to have a beer too

Great offer from your mum - wish my mum lived closer.

lbb im dreading dp going bck on tuesday - im sooo nervous about being on my own. No doubt il be on here seeking advice at every given moment

KT You'll be fine, don't worry about it, think that makes the whole thing worse iykwim.

Baby question........
So, ds2 is now 16 days so I know he is way too young to respond to any kind of routine, but, I am pretty sure that with ds1, I had him going to bed upstairs, on his own, at 7pm from about 2 weeks.
Ds2 sleeps at night in his moses basket next to our bed, and is also in the basket the majority of the day. His awake bit seems to be between now and 2am, he falls asleep after the winding battle with each feed which can take well over an hour, I then wake him 4 hourly for feeds up until 11pm/midnight. It's at this time we take him to bedroom and attempt to get some sleep ourselves.
I'm hoping to get that activity chair or a playmat that I've been going on about but am now waiting for CB money which I think is due on tuesday so am hoping something like this may help him stay awake through the day and once he is free of basket may also encourage the 3 of us to interact together to a certain extent resulting in a switch of waking and sleeping times.
Anyway, my point, at what stage have you/are you planning/have been putting the baby 'to bed' in another room on their own?
I want to get some sort of bedtime routine started asap

I wish I could have a beer!!! Enjoy your tipples ladies!

Thanks THOM - I think I would actually be more relaxed knowing that DD is with DH and it may end up being that way. We'll just have to see how everything pans out but it's good to know it worked out for you - thank you for sharing .

Really must go now as we're about to have a trial run with the TENS machine just in case these pains progress any further tonight ....

LBB - although it was only 18 months ago I can't remember when DD's bedtime routine was established. I really don't think it was until at least 8 weeks because that was when I reread my Contented Little Baby Book! I think until then we just muddled through. Definitely want a 7pm bedtime established asap tho!!!

Evening all. I have just got back from the hospital... Hadn't felt baby move all day so they asked me to come in. THey done a trace and everythings fine but MW has put the fear of god up me now by telling me that I have a huge baby and that my bump is all baby, and that it has gone back to back. I am so upset as this is where all my problems last time stem from...... I really dont know if I can go through that again....

Came out crying......

Very late update here. Just got home from hospital. We are in no doubt that my waters have gone my god I flooded everywhere... 100x more water than with dd..... And while it was green they are possitive it is not meconium (sp?) so they have sent me home after a two hour trace...

If labour doesnt start then I am being induced on Sunday morning as the baby is now open to infection....

There was so much fluid, I am still leaking now and they went like a waterfall at 10:30 so I am hoping they have got it wrong and that my huge bump is not all baby.......

Tummy is all saggy already......

Having minor contractions now but not painful so going to have a bath and bed for a few hours...

Will check in with someone tomorrow....

Night night....

ps I am having a baby

Good Luck today Lardybump. Hope you managed to get some sleep last night ready in preparation for the job ahead. You must be so disappointed to hear about the back to back position. I am so worried that this is going to happen to me again too - but my midwife has said that even a back to back labour second time round is much more manageable. Thinking of you.

I've been up most of the night stuck to my TENS machine having some pretty painful contractions lasting about 30/40 seconds, but they don't seem to be getting any closer together. Have probably had a couple of hours of broken sleep and then for some reason DD has woken up at 5.30am which is unheard of for her! Time to break open the new Peppa Pig DVD to give DH a lie-in me thinks. I can't cope with 3 tired people today!!

Hope yesterday's sections went well and looking forward to hearing latest news!

Good luck Lardy and catstar...looks like 2 more babies are on their way !!