Further freakingly fantabulous adventures of the 40+ Mummies

[10000Fireflies]

For gorgeous, frolicking and fabulous 40-somethings to share the joys of becoming a Mummy, just a little bit later than most!! . Park your zimmer-frame next to your baby buggy, put your feet up, and come and join us in the snug.

hello all! phone broke and was already behind on all your news anyway ...
we are still rubbish at all sleep except cosleeping, which is successful and very lovely, but i dont want to go to bed at 7. alright, i do sometimes, but i also want dinner, and more dinner etc.
great sleep news lrm and goat!!! lovely scan news badmiss :) mmmm midgets macaroons. i just made boozy trifle

Good work baby goat. I'm just clearing the nursery do there is room for you all in move in.

Hello everyone

Great news Goat about BG's sleep progress! Can only stare in wonder/envy at the number of sleeping hours he clocked up!

LRM great work on the snow shovelling and sleep progress for Baby M

Seaside/Midget - Macaroons and trifle - yes please

*BBD how did your job interview go?

Somewhere/Scarecrow - hope you are both keeping well. The wrap sling is highly recommended, but having said that Baby Eagle shrieked her head off when I put her in there yesterday - think she was still a bit hungry. We are probably going to try another trip out today as I don't think she will be warm enough in the pushchair. The sling I'm currently using is a hired one - so nice to be able to try out different ones as they vary so much and it's really important to get something that's comfortable for you and the baby. Finding it quite nice to alternate days out with sling and pushchair as there are benefits to using both! By the way, the consultant session cost very little and there seems to be a huge network of resources out there - let me know if you want me to send you any info.

Yesterday was a momentous day for us - first thing we just made the deadline and finally registered Baby E and she finally has a name. Can you believe it? We also had the 6 week check yesterday so trudged off to the surgery with Baby E in a clean nappy. GP examined her and remarked on how strong she was (at this point nappy was still clean). Ten minutes later we arrived back home and noticed a strange smell. Then realised her clothes were soaked in something....

Oh dear god - a shitfest of epic proportions! Got her onto the changing table, by which point it had reached her shoulders. Got the clothes off and as soon as the nappy was open she wiped her feet in it, then managed to flick poo over her face. Bright orange too. Ended up taking a photo of her lying there bright orange from head to foot, smiling away. Wasn't sure what to do so ended up filling the sink and putting her in, but she somehow managed to drop her head down and was trying to drink the orange water!

Took two baths to get her clean, and am now quite scared about future explosions as it happened so quickly! Sorry for graphic description - am sure you are all familiar with poo disasters and don't really need a step-by-step account from me...

Last night was utterly freeeezing in the house so we went to bed skin to skin and passed out for hours and hours. She only woke to feed once and then slept for ages again so we are both quite rested today. Have cut formula down to 2 very small bottles a day which I normally administer when have run out of ideas to stop her crying so looks like the boobs have a full time job now. Am very pleased with progress as it's nice not to be so dependent on formula, bottles etc, but good that we have a little bit of flexibility there, eg can give her a bottle when my poor boobs are exhausted

eagle at poo story! two baths!! only tips i can offer are trying larger nappies, and keeping an ear out for poo gurgles then running without delay to changing mat. two adults if possible.

eagle I am sorry to say that I laughed out loud on the tube at your poo story, then when I got funny looks, I laughed some more at the thought of telling them why I was laughing!

Congrats on the arrival of the name though...

Honestly, she looked like she'd been tangoed (remember the tv ad?)

Am getting really worried as she hasn't pooed since - clearly this is the build-up to something even bigger

Seaside - you are right about the poo gurgles - have been listening out all the time today and ripping her nappy open as soon as I hear/smell anything suspicious but then it turns out to be nothing! Am still shuddering at the thought of dealing with something like that while we're out and about.

Eagle, I want to see the pics to make me laugh again ! Sorry ! Not laughing at you, it happened to all of us and might happen again...
The interview went well, waiting to hear from them now. Fingers crossed.

Sounds like eaglet could give master midge a run for his money. He is a prolific pooher. No solutions here above what seaside has said - it still goes up his back sometimes no matter how quick I am. He loves a good pooh.

Best of luck On the job HP. I too seem to be loosing control of our lovely EASY routine And I dependent sleep seems to becoming rarer. All my good intentions of text book parenting are going to the dogs. He is still an angel baby but just not quite as easy to keep on EASY (oh the irony).

Anyways must go tidy the bomb site that is my house. I just can't keep on top if it (and the mess I make baking). Hope Goat hasnt been taken away by the men in white coats for laughing on public transport.

Eagle amazing poo story. What we used to call an 'uncontained poo situation' and abbreviate to USP to provide a reassuring bureaucratic sheen to what is a total panic event! But such things do give the gift of laughter. My ds had very liquid poos for ages but they stopped busting out into the world fairly soon as I remember. But I used to envy people with more solid pooers.

goat what a little champ your boy sounds like.

hp good luck with the interview - is this the freelance role?

Ladies if you have any capacity to offer advice on siblings I'd be interested. Managing their stress, one's own stress, two bedtimes, etc. My ds has started having uncharactistic tantrums already and the baby isn't even here yet. Telly/ screen time? am i allowed to go over two hours? but I know you at all very weary so no worries if no time.

Looks like these babies are going through stages of not wanting to sleep... Growing up when we Mums think we have nailed things down ! Oh well, lets hope it won't last too long.
On Sun evening A finally fell asleep at 2 am, from 7pm to 2 am she was waking up every hour... Hell ! I had to leave the flat at 7.30 to have my interview at 8.30 on Mon, 3 espressos before 8.30am, I was more than awake. Actually jumping up and down as I am not really a coffee drinker ! Anyway, the interview went well. 4 days a month, I should be able to do that, and could work from home later on... There is room to grow as well within the position but would still be part time and flexible. So I am up to it. Waiting to hear from them now.
Restarted to train A to fall asleep on her own. Still think it is a matter of observing and finding out how long she can stay awake and put her down at the right moment. This morning 30 min of crying but she is now asleep. Preparing lunch. Tart with spinach and salmon.
Enjoythe lovely sunshine

Somewhere, how old is DS ? 4 if I recall correctly ? I have read books with him about having a baby, one I really liked was There is a house inside my Mummy to prepare for the arrival of sibling. He loves being the brother, all the more as his sister has brought him a big gift when she was born :) I have always tried to explain as well that I have less time because I need to cook or sleep or wash without referring too much to his sister. I get him to bring nappy or changing cloth for him to feel involved. He now reads to her, tries to feed her, is the clown to make her laugh... Tell him how much you love him, reassurance is key. Will be back soon as A just woke up

Rules are also important, I think kids are more secured with clear rules, they know what to expect. And there is less tantrum as well when there are rules in place. With DS, he knows that I pick him up after tea at nursery around 4.15pm everyday, we go home, he helps me prepare dinner, eats with me and his sister around 5.30, if he has finished he can play until I and his sister finish, then 6.15 at the latest, he has his bath, pj, in bed with a book on his own until I finish BF. 7.15 A is in bed, playing or screaming, I spend 15 min with DS with a book or a 5min cartoon on iPad, then Kiss and Cuddles, good night at 7.30/7.45. By then if A is still crying I go to her. Usually by 8pm, both are asleep. DS sleeps usually until 6.30/7 am, A is another story !!!
It took a while to get the schedule working. It is hard work but then eventually they learn and life is easier. Until they grow out of it and try something else, and it is all over again.

And yes, the interview was for the freelance role. Hope it will work out. I feel I could then have a more balanced life and feel less guilty.

Back to put A to sleep. Wish me luck.

Ooh, liking BBD advice on handling 2. I aspire to such routine, so will attempt to be less chaotic relaxed about timings. Agree usually best - we were lucky DD was so easy we realised could bend rules...since when we have prob bent too much too often. Though I am being somewhat loyal with the "we"s! Thanks BBD - it sounds like a v good system for our household. (Remind me how old DS is?)

Somewhere, we are loving Za-Za's Baby Brother but might be a bit babyish for your DS and also sexes are reversed (I also change words to couple of pages as done think family will come to see baby and ignore DD, though she is always wanting I know why Za-Za is sad on those pages; we are practicing the word "pensive" )
Another brilliant one for us - that is just right for your boy/girl mix - is Waiting for Baby (illus Annie Kubler). It has no words but I preferred that as we could make it our story. Was def the break-through book for Lucy to understand what was happening.

Otherwise we are getting a pressie for her from baby ( won a wonderful pram/buggy with carrycot and change bag on eBay, but prob not one for DS!!) and am stockpiling some crafty things to stick and colour and a few treat days (Peppa Pig world!) and joined Kew Gdns as it is 5mi away and great on wet or sunny days as don't have to worry about traffic, lots o kid friendly cafes for her/LO, and so on.
Have also taken precaution ahead I CS of not picking her up much and explaining I'm sore or tired - so she doesn't blame baby when it really matters, and of sometimes similarly explaining I can't rough play, attend to every need etc.; I don't think I was that good before but web work 4/7 easy to justify spoiling for time in other 3/7.
There, you'd never guess I was at a loss of how to cope as well

Link to Waiting for Baby. Might be bit young for DS, but not easy to find so if helps:

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0859539733/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1363180734&sr=8-1&pi=SL75

bbd I don't know if I can achieve such rules - DP a big rule saboteur! But maybe he'll get it this time! The involvement is key isn't it. And also knowing that what works for a while stops working - that's a good tip - to be able to let go. I have house inside my mummy - he often says he doesn't want to read it! But we have read it a lot. Right now it actually does feel like a house .

Brilliant about your job - that's been my approach - work from home part time, it does make for a lovely work life balance and in fact employers take it all seriously cv-wise so it paves way to other things (if you want other things)

scarecrow have just ordered waiting for baby of Internet. Think it's a different one. Anyways as usual tonnes of food for thought there -I just need to get focused on this incredibly important issue.

Xxx

Oh I forgot to mention my love cake. Tell Dc1 your love is a huge cake and when DC2 arrives, they don't need to share because Mummy will make a second cake just as huge as the first one.
scarecrow, my DS was 3.9 yo when A was born. I am lucky he loves his sister. He can be a terrible toddler, with massive and loud tantrums, star charts did not work at all with him, he understands though time out, or stand in the corner and think, and no iPad if not behaving... I often tell him how he was when he was a baby, that he blew on his spoon one day and his face was covered with puree, and showed him a pic I took that day, that he loved having his bath, splashing with his legs as his sister does today.... Involvement, reassurance, interconnections, they worked for my little boy.
I am sure Midget has some tips too. Once she has tidied up her kitchen !

Not saying more than we had a restful night, well done A.
We are out into town today ! Just Mum and A to the French Embassy.... Hum hum, lets see if I survive the tube with my big pushchair :)

Baby monkey is defo weaning. Been waking twice a night. Every 4 hours. Will get some baby rice Saturday and pop some in his mouth. Also felt a little tooth yesterday. Yeh weaning and teething together. Should make for an interesting few months ahead. And just when he was only waking once. Bye bye sleep hello bags under my eyes. Good job I have no biscuits in the house! !!!
Bbh. Glad job interview went well. I am not sure about returning to work full time. But if I go part time I have to lose my manager role. Oh well. But it depends if there is a vacancy for me to slot into if not stuck full time till there is. Dont fancy retail manager at Christmas late night's extra Saturdays. Sundays. I will never see Dylan. I know September is ages away but time is flying. What is everyone else doing after mat leave finishes?

More nappy fun this morning - woke up to find Baby Eagle was soaked through so rushed her to the changing table and found that her nappy had been put on by DP at a rather jaunty angle and her bum was poking out the back (like a builder's bum)

I've been using some recordings of the rainforest to get her off to sleep, with amazing results. Just now she was whingey and overtired with arms flailing, so put the rainforest noise on and within 20 seconds she was out like a light! The one I normally use is this one as it lasts for 2 hours and one has lovely bird sounds too but it's only 10 mins long (but very useful if you just want to nip off and have a shower or something)

LRM gosh weaning and teething at once! I don't envy you, but have got this coming myself so will be picking up tips from you as you progress through this phase.

BBD great to hear the interview went well.

Scarecrow sounds like you have got some lovely ideas for helping DD deal with the new arrival. And I do envy you having Kew so close by! It's a lovely sunny day so am trying to think of somewhere nice for an outing with sling today.

Somewhere loving the USP abbreviation!

Midget am googling the EASY routine as hadn't heard of it before. Sometimes I think I rely on my own instincts a little too much. However, this week for the first time I am getting a feel for some sort of routine (which will no doubt go to pieces in the next few days...)

Eagle - rainforest music sounds great am gonna check that out. It's good to have ways to get them to sleep that don't involve wheeling the pram round the block in this weather.

Bbd - told the excellent cake metaphor to my antenatal refresher people today - they loved it. Re getting two to bed I am thinking I should just let us co sleep in a big pile... Bit early to admit defeat ... Lets see.

Xx

somewhere just make sure that you are not on the bottom of the pile!

I adore cake metaphor. Am a bit worried though that I will struggle to explain to my "survivor" 2yo why she can't have both cakes.
Her appetite for life and ability to charm everybody into giving her what she wants leave us in no doubt how she came out on top in the evolutionary battle (In last week alone two parents have offered to give her their children's soft toys before I intervened to politely decline on basis she would get too expectant of taking over every child's JellyCat rabbits. She has still accumulated 8 of them!!)

aah scarecrow, I love the sound of your DD - so feisty! I want that for my daughter too :)

somewhere - love the sound of the cosleeping pile. We have a cosleeping sandwich at my house with me squeezed in between a gannety baby and snory dp. Lovely, though.

lrm we're starting weening soon too. give me tips! :)

eagle - keep those funny nappy stories coming!

Baby rice and sterilization process complete for operation weaning baby. He woke twice again last night so this evening going to give him a little taste. Baby rice and mummy milk sounds ok to start with??
He also rolled yesterday afternoon and half got himself up then hit the decks. I kept waking last night worrying he may try in the night. I have a monitor on and he is in a sleeping bag but still kept waking.

Oh forgot to say I had breakfast brought to me in bed this morning. Very nice treat. Dylan helped carry the tray