on the 1st day of christmas my true love sent to me a moosy and a baby

[tinkerbellstinkerbells]

new thread ladies

Good morning troopers

IDOB, always so hard with their injections, hate it, especially (think it's the third set - have forgotten already ) they come at them two at a time. Mind it's better than them getting the awful illnesses instead. Those pictures sound exciting

As for baby talk, I had sky+'ed that midwife thing with Amanda Holden, watched it last night, I couldn't get to bloody sleep last night thinking of ways to make it possible to have a fourth! Have to keep reminding myself that giving birth doesn't just mean a baby, it means a child, and then repeating "I don't want 4 kids, I don't want 4 kids though if --she- was a girl.........???"

Tink, AD's? Is this new? Had no idea you were on them. IDOB is right, you could try a tonic, my mum swears by it! Sorry the coat and boots weren't right, but sound's like you've got some others sorted, why doesn't that surprise me? The Queen of the Wagon's Shoppers, I'd have been dissapointed if you hadn't have had it sorted!

Right, next time you see me, someone make sure I've written the rest of the cards please! Have done about 50, only another 75 or so to go, wouldn't mind but most of them need posting aswell, they'll never get there before xmas at this rate! Why is it always up to me to do it though? Don't think DH has written one card since we've been together, except for mine, and that isn't just xmas cards, that's b'days, anniversaries, every card we've sent!

Anyway, have one child to remove from the xmas tree, and one to remove from the highchair, one bum to change, and then on witht he cards, oh what a thrilling life I lead....

Lightening- i have it sky +'d and plan to watch it in 5mins!! Hope it doesn't make me feel even broodier!!

Hi All, been absent for about a week, 'cos was up in Scotland for a wedding from Thurs and then straight onto a course on Mon & Tues. Was very weird being away from the DC for two days (although was home by 10pm on Mon and 6.15pm yesterday). DH coped admirably (my Mum did come over on Mon lunchtime to help out and so that he could go out to snooker on Mon eve, while I had MY FIRST NIGHT OUT IN 9 MONTHS!!!!! woo hoo!!!!) Went out for dinner with my bf in London - was lovely. Has reassured me a bit that DD will cope with nursery (I hope). She didn't take more than a couple of ounces while I was out as while she loves the bottle as a toy, she's not too keen on drinking lots of milk from it. This included on Mon eve - only took a few ounces before bed, then my Mum ended up (after about an hour) leaving her to cry it out for 15 mins and then she slept for 6 hours - I meanwhile had not expressed when I got home 'cos I thought she'd wake up any time and I was bursting when she woke

Right - quick catch-up while DD is asleep, then need to make casserole for tea.

Moos - sorry for DD's possible reflux and MW being so useless. Hope gaviscon helps - sounds like it is. Glad you are getting some sleep.

Ses - sorry for work, is rubbish isn't it? Hope you get something worked out. DH's are definitely on a different communication plain(sp?) in my experience! Love your haircut on FB. Love, love, love that sleep from a baby's perspective you posted - am going to keep that, is hilarious!!

Kayz - happy belated birthday to your DS2. Glad party went well.

Lightning - glad you have got an extra weekend to prepare. Can't believe your DS3 is nearly 1 too - where did the year go (mind you, at the risk of sounding old, where did the decade go too....) Am with you on cards - still 1/4 of mine to write, not sure they're going to get there!!

Can't - thanks for info on feeding. DD has upped her food intake over last week, but still not comparable to other babies her age. Ho hum, DH just keeps saying - oh, she's going to be a model!! Is useful to know what your DD2 is taking milk-wise. I can see though that mostly on days where DD eats more during day, she sleeps better at night, so that gives me hope. There is just no getting food into her when she's not hungry though. She is very busy cruising now, so burning off energy all the time! Am with you on the broodiness though....

Tink - sorry you have gone back on ADs, but hope they help. Christmas can be so stressful. Am sure that it will be fine in Hull and at least you will have some of your own space in the Travellodge.

Gruff - yay to day shadowing behavioural psychologist. Sounds fab.

IDOB - did you do the hand/footprints for DD on weekend?

Ginger - sorry for NCT bust-up. Is rubbish when things like that happen, hope it is sorted soon. You know there is no harm in trying to continue bfing when you go back to work and then going to formula if it doesn't work. Much more difficult the other way round, but maybe not thinking about it as "I need to decide before going back to work" will help - if you try continuing for a week and it doesn't work, then you just go to formula. You know your DD will take both. HTH.

Right, really off now to get things sorted.

Ooh, it's snowing here!! And settling! How exciting!

How exciting Star - we just have a constant horrid drizzle.

OK cards are all done! Knew it was a good idea to get the more indepth lengthier message ones done and out of the way first, think I could write "Dear X, All the best for a very merry Christmas and an even better 2010, All our love, L, N, T, G, and M xxx" with my eyes shut!

Problem came when I couldn't remember who knew the new address and who didn't, had brilliant idea of going through the cards we've recieved thinking all of those must know the new address, but then that crumpled when I realised the post is still being redirected...

Snow?! We've got a pretty nothing sort of weather day, bit grey, no wind, no sun, not really any sky IYKWIM? me neither...

Star, hope the wedding went well?

Can't, probably too late, but that program is not for the broody type - believe me!! You know it's bad when even when the poor women are screaming and screeching in sheer agony and you're still sat there going "I want to do it again, I want to do it again" DH now 100% believes I am a complete loon, if ever there was a shadow of a doubt before.

Hello!

May I just say I hate Xmas??? Well no I hate the present side of things. I have no idea what to get my brothers DP. When I ask him he just says "I don't know" ARGHHHHH!!!!!

Hope everyone is ok!

morning

idob - glad injections out of the way

hi nat ye went on ads this time last week was getting anxious about everything especially hull we go in less than a week.
yes i have new boots and bag sorted.still cant wear bag over coat bag strap pulling fluff off of coat so will have to wear under coat

kay - can you give a voucher or money?

having a quiet one today

I might get ger a voucher for somewhere. I just worry it looks like I couldn't be bothered.

oh kay it doesnt all of my family and dhs family have asked for gift cards this year
have bought out parents a photo book of bracken as a baby has one of girls together 2 is lovely

Morning!

Tink - photobook sounds lovely. We did a photo calendar of DS for MIL and FIL.

Kay - maybe a voucher with a small box of chocs?

Star - yay for evening out! Glad it worked well. Have you got your next one planned?!

IDOB - well done on getting past those first injections. It's def more difficult for us than them IMO!

Broodiness - I know I've said this before but I'm definitely wanting to get pg but just don't know how I'd cope with 2 and don't know how DH and I would cope as our relationship is probably at it's weakest since having DS.

Work - situation has got worse as my boss phoned me yesterday and said she was v sorry but had some new info. Apparently there is already a precedent that my role can't be done on less than 4 days a week. Don't know what I'm going to do

Ses, I am so sorry about your job, is there anything else you can do in the same company that means you can do the hours you want?

On the broodiness front, you will manage with 2 just fine. It is brilliant having 2, watching them play with each other all the time, watching DS2 giggling because his big brother dancing about and hearing DS1 saying "I love you Dylan!"

But obviously you and DH have to agree when is the best time to start TTC. The best gaps are meant to be under 2.5 years and over 5 years. Not sure why though.

Thanks Kay
I could go back in a different role but it'd mean a pay cut and I quite like the role I was doing.
I did think DH and I had agreed on ttc from May but I think I'll ask him when would be his ideal time. He's out again tonight though so won't get chance to talk again til tomorrow evening.

Kayz - I'd go for the voucher. does she have an ipod? If so, iTunes voucher might be good as it can get you so much and she can wait to get new stuff as new hits come out? I think a voucher says "I didn't know exactly what to get you and I want to make sure you get something you enjoy", not at all that you haven't bothered.

Ses - sorry about your job. That is rubbish. Hope you can identify something or work out a solution that suits. Re. your DH and no. 2. From our experience, DH really found the first year the hardest. Once DS could walk and then started communicating more, he found it so much more enjoyable, so it may be that your DH finds it difficult to imagine having another when you are still in the first year of your DS. I would say DS was 18-24 months before we really hit our stride and it was not so unbelievably different to before DS. Once we got to that stage, DH and I were able to agree that once DD came along, he would take primary care for DS to start with and I would focus on the baby. He did cope really well with both of them on his own on Mon and Tues, but I'm not sure I could have asked him to do that a couple of months ago. Just thought it might be helpful to put a different perspective on it. Agree you need to talk to your DH when you can both focus on it.

Right, off to nursery to see DS visit Santa and then bring him home.

Not to say we haven't loved DS all the way through , just it was a bit of a shock how hard it was to start with and compared to the whole cartload of stuff you have to cart round with a baby and the bottles, sterilising, etc, once they get through the first year it does become considerably easier IMHO!

Afternoon everyone- can't really stop but wanted to pop my head in. Have caught up, but have so much to do before MIL arrives for her overnight stay tomorrow morning, that i can't possibly hang about too long.

Just wanted to say STAR, that DD used to eat very little, then out of nowhere her food intake rocketed!! She is a little older than your DD at very nearly 10mo (as of sunday) but is still very small though, she's still only just around 14lb. and in 3-6m clothing (not showing much sign of growing recently either)... When i'm giving her bottles i'm giving her formula as i dont currently have a breatpump, and TBH i'm quite happy giving the formula a couple of feeds a week... most times she'll have a 4oz bottle then feed from me 10mins later anyhow...

Right i am off now, Have a busy w/end (MIL's visit/ swimming on sun/ DS's 5th bday on mon etc) but will try and pop in.

Hi everyone

Ses- sorry about the work thing. I really hope you can find a solution.

Re DH and number 2. It might be good thing as he'd have more of role with O. SOunds odd, but my DH often said he felt like spare part at the start as I was so busy feeding etc. Reckon Star is right, the first, child first year is the hardest. I definately was in shock for at least 4 months. Think it didnt really get better til 6mths. Now its easier every week. Me and DH have also struggled A LOT but hoping its getting better now DD is more interactive (makes her sound like a toy doesnt it!)
Anyway. Coffee\chat next weeks sounds good.

Star- Thank you so much do you know that is the best piece of BF related advice I've had in the last 9mths. I've been so preoccupied with work being boundary to feeding that I didnt think to try it and then stop if it doesnt work out. I will talk to DH and see what he thinks. I know he thinks I should stop but probably because he wants ALL of me back

Hi Tink, Lightening, Cant, IDOB and Kayz.

Kayz- what about some nice bath stuff? Im having a renewed interest in those kind of gifts as I never buy nice stuff myself so welcome such presents though it does remind me of being a teenager.

Well- today I've treated myself to a trip to the spa at the hotel where I got married. It was fab. Felt so relaxed.

Hi to anyone lurking, Moosy

Whats happened to Kooky?

afternoon

can't believe how cold it is!!!! meant to have snow
got frozen waiting for dd1 to come out of school
off to sainsburys for food shop tonite

i found 2 hard when bracken was smaller now wouldnt have it any other way. dd1 is very full on more like 2 but luvs her sister so much

Can't - thanks for that. Today, DD has surpassed herself with food. Ate a decent portion of pasta with a veggie sauce at lunch, followed by good portion of sauce and this evening was not too impressed with our salmon and roast sweet potato (although she did take some - think it was not liquid enough for her), but ate over half a stage 2 portion of cottage pie (obviously didn't like it as much as my homemade stuff last night ), so very chuffed for her. Took 'til gone 8.30pm to settle her tonight but have started a bit of our own style cc with her now as she generally doesn't feed to sleep except during night now and having watched her in the car during our travels last week, I can see that when she gets tired, she does seem to fare better without interference - batting my hand away, etc. So, we shall see if it helps.

GBL - very glad that I could be of help. Am sure I heard that somewhere before, so can't claim it as all my own! Can understand what you mean about DH, though! Spa sounds luvverly [not at all jealous emoticon]

DS had his nursery Xmas party today and was very excited to see Santa. Get to go in and hear them all singing tomorrow.

Lightning - thanks for asking, wedding was fab. Plenty of my family there (my Mum's family is big and we're all close, so is lovely). Despite DD not ever sleeping for long, she does at least sleep through noise - I settled her in my Aunt's hotel room and then put her in buggy in corner of comfy chair rooms and she slept for 3 hours from 8pm, so that DH and I could enjoy some dancing and socialising. Was very lovely - I even got 3 dances out of my DH, which is unheard of - usually just get the one

Right, was going to wrap pressies tonight, but think I'm going to bed to see if I can get some sleep tonight (think DD's 5th tooth was bothering her last night and I spent from 3am in bed in the single bed in her room with her, not getting much sleep )

Morning all,

after a few nights of very little sleep DD had a great night last night so I feel like a new woman ! We woke up to 2 inches of snow and it's still falling now - it's lovely but DP is going to his xmas party tonight and staying over so I hope he doesn't get snowed in down south.

STAR - the wedding sounds fab and well done on getting 3 dances from DH - DP just refuses to dance. Hope DD slept better after all that lovely food she ate yesterday. Enjoy hearing the singing - how sweet!

GBL - very of your spa day.

Cant - good luck for your busy weekend.

Ses - so sorry about work. It's tough isn't it, I hope you find a solution that works for everyone.

Kay - did you decide what to get your DBs partner? I always fall back on vouchers for a pedicure or massage for SIL if DB has no ideas but I know she loves these little pamper days. Are the boys enjoying the snow?

I'm quite excited this morning. During my PhD I worked on something that could be used to treat patients in the future - it's only a small chance but it was patented and licenced to a company to continue the research. It is going well so far and my ex-boss contacted me yesterday to say they have reached a milestone and have to pay us a small bonus - I don't know how much it will be but with DPs job looking shaky anything extra is handy. It's just good to know all that work I did is actually going somewhere though .

Yay for sleep IDOB and fantastic news about your bonus. Really pleased for you.

Well, DD did brilliantly last night. She did 4 hours from settling and then nappy change (we have to, she gets really heavy), feed and back to bed - then she slept for over 6 hours. So, considering I went to bed at 10pm, got over 2.5 hours and then another 6 hours, I'm thrilled !!! While we were away, DD did this 2 nights too and in both instances, the rooms were a lot colder than at home and I put a blanket over her sleeping bag. So, decided at home to turn heating off thermostat and just have it timed on in in mornings and evenings and a bit during day. Seeing as she slept so well last night (for her), we're going to continue that and see how it goes.

Ah well, must away to nursery to see DS singing. Then have promised him we'll play in snow and put food out for birds after lunch. Hope you're all having good days.

IDOB - that's fab news about your bonus from your PhD work. Well done you!

Hello Star!

V of both your sleeping babies. DS has gone backwards. Last night I ended up having to bring him downstairs and co-sleep all night. I guess I'm lucky that that settles him

Thanks for all your support re my work situation - much appreciated.
The reason they've given for it needing to be 4 days minimum is not so much workload but the fact that part of my role is to be professionally accountable for pharmacy and healthcare across the 18 stores. Apparently our pharmacy superintendent has made this stipulation previously. Just a shame my boss didn't know this on Monday.
I'm still not sure what to do. I know working 4 days a week isn't the end of the world, but it's not where my expectations were.

Woooooo!!! I love my MUM!!! She cryptically said that our xmas present was being delivered this morning. I was quite surprised as she paid for out hotel in London last month. She has got us a tumble drier!!! I am so so happy as we have airers everywhere trying to dry clothes, which only makes the damp worse.

IDOB, Great news about the bonus!!

idob - great news
kayz - thats great

went shopping last nite
went shopping this morning and into town have bought myself some pink fluffy boot slippers
my bro sent a elc gift card for bracken so bought her click pets

me and dh are off to soton tonite for his work xmas ball cant wait
staying over in a hotel

it is so colddddddd!!!!!!!

Ooh! Where is everyone today??!

We've spent the day cleaning up the house and moving DS's cot into his room finally!
Let's hope he has a good night tonight!

Hope you're all having good days.