Further freakingly fantabulous adventures of the 40+ Mummies Part 2

[blueblackdye]

Our 2nd thread is full but it won't prevent us from laughing, moaning, keeping on supporting each other, sharing and chatting over our new life with 1 or 2, even 5 children !
Here you go, fantastic 40+ Mums, a brand new thread for all of us, old friends from the pregnancy thread or new joiners

Just found this thread. My wife and I graduated last October. Great to be amongst "old" friends again!

We are celebrating here - yesterday was the very first time Mrs O and I have been out without baby O. We have effectively no support mechanism here, but that means that we also have nobody to criticise us, so it's all relative!

Can't wait to have time to read all this thread to catch up with you all.

MrsW, sorry to hear baby W is in pain. I know I m repeating myself but have you tried osteopathy, it worked really well for A and after only 1 session. I have aired the cushions in the snug, put them out in the sun, booked massages for all of us, tea and cakes are on their way, for all of us, Midget, LRM, Seaside, Eagleray, Somewhere, Goat, FF as we are so sleep deprived and especially for you, Chairman and Scarecrow.
Welcome back Oldandcobwebby, it is great to see you again. Let us know how you and family are when you are ready.
Xxx

MrsW sorry, that must be tough - like BBD osteopathy got us through this, bloody miracle! Was it you asking about reflux the other week? I think someone mentioned infacol, thought I should say it seemed to make things worse for us, apparently for some babies the orange oil further inflames the already tender reflux oesophagus :( just a thought

Hi old! Tell us how it's been

chairman fwiw I think you did the right thing - i would have done the same (and would also have felt conflicted about it ...)

bbd shared your panic at the great regents park escape story - and laughed a bit at pelvic floor woes. anyone else only do the excercises when they read of someone else's pelvic floor incidents?

More for everyone else in a bit, just reeling from the passive aggressive fest that was the mil visit - some absolute corkers!! still stuck in work dilemma. would like to post more detail and get your sage advice, but it would out me, so can't. Perhaps I should start an email list for sorting out my problems, given that i have lost my decision making faculty

mrsw, so sorry you're having such a miserable time. Ranitidine is for reflux, I sometimes take the adult version and works well. DS had reflux and was prescribed infant Gaviscon which also seemed to help. I hope baby W is better soon and this stressful phase passes. It's good that you're reminding yourself that it will. Sometimes it can feel like the bad times last forever.

seaside glad your ordeal is over. My mum knows a thing or two about passive aggression. It's maddening.

bbd the one good thing about having had a caesarian is that my pelvic floor is much stronger. I remember fear of sneezing after DS, and an embarrassing incident during buggy fit when we were doing star jumps. Thanks for cake and massages. I'll enjoy them later on after I've spent the day working on the garden.

Hello oldandcobwebby, nice to meet you. I love your name.

Morning. Well done chair. It's tough because you might see her in the street after, but I doubt she was ever going to talk to you again anyway. Very courageous.

mrsw sorry baby Wooster is having such a tough time, it's really upsetting. I hope you are having some nice snugly times as well. I've got some rich choc cake with less flour in relation to the choc, butter, sugar and eggs than a normal cake, which is for those amongst us feeling beaten down.

bbd Rofl lmao re pelvic floor. At 4.5 my ds is running off less - but TAAD (They Are All Different).

Welcome back oldandcobwebby how fab to have a dad amongst us.

AFM I did the fast, it was fine, I felt quite wierd but I think that's cause I watched breaking dawn 1&2 to pass the time - omg what a teenage girl fantasy-fest that was, Oedipal-tastic. No wonder i felt dizzy. Next time I will try to function through the day rather than seek refuge in twilight.

So I recommend 5:2 even to breast feeders. As predicted, I didn't feel all that hungry when I woke up this am,

Mmorning all
Mrs w. Sorry to hear about dd. I wish I had some advise but lacking info for ya. Sending hugs and a spot in the snug for you to relax in and hope it all passes soon
Mr and Mrs cob. So glad to see you again. Look forward to hearing all the news
Bbh. How's a sleeping? D was shocking last night 5 feeds yes 5. His teeth upsetting him. Worse still I had to cough while I was feeding made him jump oh he cried then I cried. Silly mummy. Dp jumped as a cough turned into Hiroshima! !!
Bythesea. Feel your work woes in the same boat honey. Also tales of mil you must share. Mine put on d cardigan the other day and he cried as she was a tad rough saying I have had three boys so stop fussing. I took him off her and said but he's not your boy and we dont cry when we put on clothes normally. Silly women other daughter in law dont say anything to her but she knows I will.
Chair. You did the right thing. Very brave of you and you helped that child hopefully.
Scarecrow. I would be bloody starving honey. Let us know how you get on

Baby d is 8 months today. Time flys! !!

LRM, A is still on her 3 to 4 hour feeds, I don't know what I m doing wrong. But you know, I will just take it easy as you do with baby M, after all, I work from home so can rest a bit during the day...
Seaside, can you negotiate parttime or some days from home in your field of activity ? Or flexible hours ? I found it very hard with DS to leave him full days at nursery. I cried a few times at the beginning after drop off. As they grow older, it gets easier though.
Somewhere, DS is usually good at listening, he stops and waits for me to cross the street, he holds my hand when we walk on the pavements and when the crowd is dense. I don't know what happened on Sunday, I suspect they were racing maybe, I was coming out from the boating house when they went pass from the playground near the Mosque and they eventually stopped almost at the bridge. And DH was pushing slowly A with no reaction at all ! I think I need to teach DS not to be influenced too much and always remember what Mum said about staying within sight and danger.

With this beautiful weather, Ladies, shall we try to meet one of these days in a park (I won't have DS with me, I promise) ? I will be away again fron 22nd June for 2 months. Hope to be able to meet before I go if not all, some of the babies and their Mums. Goat, you choose a date as you are the one working outside the house. Paddington Square Gardens in Marylebone has a lovely playground which is less crowded than Regents Park.

Hello all!

Fecking blackberry is useless so haven't been able to have been able to keep up with you all but not add any messages. Today though I'm on a real computer .

Chair sounds like you've been having a tough time but are being brilliant by recognising any downward trends and doing your damndest to get help if needs be. Honestly think you're doing a fab job. Moving house, new baby, young child is not for the faint hearted and it's no wonder you've been knackered from it all. Just remember things will get easier in time - and that bath with the two of them sounds like one of those moments when you remember why we put ourselves through it all again!!

Hi old I remember you! Yes, an update if you can please!

MrsW flaming heck, it just sounds awful. Retained placenta, reflux - yuck. Those days sound long - as you say weird it's not an evening thing though? Must be hellish though. Really hope the meds the doc have given sort the problem. As you say, it will pass, and usually, suddenly. I hear 3 months mooted as the time it usually recedes? You're near that now?

bytheseaside work dilemmas? I have the same - and if I really went into detail, suspect it would out me too. Thoroughly enjoying mat leave, and when I popped into the office recently, I felt sick . Don't want to return at all. Thankfully have a while yet.

I've completely missed out on this 5:2 diet! No idea what it is - am off to google in a sec. I've still got about a stone to go. Currently 11st 2lb, 5'5" and have a saggy tummy which I literally scoop into my trousers each day (sorry for the hideous image.....) I was going to start running again but fear my relaxed pelvic floor muscles may give way even before I get to the end of the road. chair you mentioned in a post back and said exercise is the key and I think you're right - as soon as I upped my exercise weight did drop off. Going to attempt buggy fit or something soon - must do something.....

Just googled....and it works?? I did weightwatchers about 10 years ago and lost 3 and a bit stone with them. I know what I have to do (err eat less cakes, biscuits, crisps etc.....) but it's the doing it which seems to be the hard part for me!!

Baby KK doing well. 11 weeks this week. He's sleeping from 6.30 till about 3am, then gets up at 5.15ish. I've tried to introduce a dream feed but doesn't seem to work. Other than that, he's a far easier baby than DD was. Very smiley. I'm enjoying cuddling every second as I know he's our second and last. I just have this overwhelming love for him. DD tantrums have marginally improved, though are still challenging around bed and bathtime. Sweets, stickers, chocolate are all still being used as bargaining chips. What would supernanny say?!

PS Looks like DH's compressed hours have finally been accepted (though he's had to use annual leave and we've had to negotiate MIL to help out every month or so on a number of weeks). Thanks all for your kind words up thread about this. Still think his employers are idiots, but for now things have abated.

Waves to all. So sorry to so sporadic in my postings.....am hoping to change my phone soon, have to get one which is MN friendly!!

Thanks, folks
one day into the ranitidine and she played cheerfully in her seat for half an hour this morning, batting her dangly toys; slept from 12 to 4.30 with just a short feed when I woke her up accidentally putting her in bed for a nap with me, and has been asleep snce 7pm. Only the briefest screaming abdab now and again, which passed with a triumphant fart. Better living through chemistry...
Fingers crossed - though she may be awake all night or explode or something now I have written this.

Mrs w. Can't beat a triumphant fart. Nice having a bed snuggle. I have my little fella sleeping on me. Mummy morning naps are my favourite. Only woke at 1 and 5 last night so I dont feel like a zombie today soooo over did it yesterday. Friend came in the morning so cleaned up. Baby group at prior to an hours walk. Left group and had 2 hours walk. Got home dp arrived so I mowed and weeded front garden. Shovelling tea in my gob. Rushed did dishes tidied up dp and baby toy explosion quick shower and sat in bed with boobs out waiting to put little one to sleep. Knackered or what. I should be a size 10 but alas no! !
How is everyone today? Midget you have been quiet you ok twinkle?

knicky congratulations on the compressed hours! (Now there's a a phrase that tells the story of our lives).

mrsw just lovely. Please keep us updated on every fart and abdab.

lrm so pleased you got some sleep. Alleluyah.

Xx

knicky ditto congrats on compressed hours. What a relief that must be

mrsW can't beat a good old fart. Glad baby is feeling better

lrm get you! Have a rest today, sounds like you need one!

I have had the two posts re advice deleted as there is identifying info in there and I'm not comfortable about the info being out there. Hadn't thought that the person concerned may be a MNer. Best get rid as could be insensitive.

Chair. Good thinking about deleting u never know nothing queer then folk.
Where has the sun gone?

Knicky. So glad hubby hours sorted. I am still waiting for the go ahead doing 3 days rather then 5. So much stress

May go swimming with little fella this weekend first time any top tips
Just thought will have to tend to my lady garden may need the strimmer out the shed could be a tough job! !

lrm enjoy swimming! We took DS from about 4 months
and he loves it. Once he was a bit bigger, we were advised to avoid the float jacket we'd bought and alsorubber rings etc and stick him in the biggest arm bands that didn't fall off as these help him find the correct swim position. Also ride him on your back ASAP and by thing else that helps. Get that flatter position in the water. Also ducking, looking in his eyes as you go down with him. We hated the classes tbh, so went on our own quite early on so never fit the lovely underwater pics! Sorry for ililiterate post-one handed while feeding.

Just applied for a part time job, pfff, but somehow I feel I am ready although love the time I spent with DCs.

Mrs w. Thanks for the tips very helpful. I should have gone sooner but he ho time flys. Hoping he enjoys it. Will keep going even if he is not a happy camper at first. More likely to be bothered by changing room noises. Terrified of hand dries and hair driers bless him. Dp got him Spiderman swimmers. I thought dp to swim last year so I think he is nervous too. I have a siting float for him to start with then take your advise in a few weeks with water wings.
Bbh. Hope you get the job honey. I am still waiting to hear about my job share if no one applies I have to lose my manager role and my wages half which f@&@# sucks. We live so far out dont think it will tempt many people. I fear a plot against me as I am expensive as I have done 20 years service a trainee would be cheaper
How is everyone today. I woke in a horrible mood today. Baby m woke loads and annoyed I can't do CIO to help him settle. Ok about it now. Dp kept coughing and waking me and the cat was snoring so moody ma today. A good walk should sort me out.

At last...a keyboard and a quiet six minutes.

Knicky, much sympathy with Blackberry woes - I hated mine. Reminds me HTC not soooo bad. Glad DH got hours he wanted, and great he'll do a whole day of childcare - I do think it is great when men can and do understand what it is like. Plus an unmissable chance for quality time most dads miss out on.

MrsW, also so sorry you having such a tough time of it. It is ironic that all my tough times, I say "This too will pass" and think of you. I hope you really can believe it too a little. Totally understand why you not posting lots, but we really are all here when you need us. My DS also got colic and or reflux or something, and even though sounds easier for me I have found it increasingly upsetting - both physically and emotionally.

BBD, you poor thing with DS - my heart stopped just reading it. Also re pelvic woes. I started on Monday a six week course under guise of a new campaign under banner Foo Foo Fun Box, which I highly recommend checking out (will do a link next post if remember): all about educating and encouraging women to do pelvic floor and core stability work- apparently even if you think you've "got away with it" problems can be latent and materialise later in life. Exercises much more varied than simple kegels, and course also focuses on posture and diet, also intimately related.
Love idea too of picnic in park - we go away Monday July 8 for 2 weeks or more (depending on how easy it is camping with two DC in one van...)

Seaside, great sympathy for work dilemmas - very happy to be an ear if needed.

LRM, sleep seems up and down so hope up again. Re swimming, we didn't do lessons, but a friend who did gave me some tips I liked: enter water holding LO close to your body so he gets your warmth as gets used to being in the water temp; then start by doing circles away from your body and back again, I think to a nursery rhyme, but forget which one (sure you can improvise!); do splashing games to songs etc so he learns to enjoy getting his face wet; spend bits of time in every swim teaching them to hang on to the edge by themselves, initially holding their hands on and gradually over swims disengaging until he can do it alone; to go underwater prepare him by saying something he will learn as a trigger, counting to three, dunking/jumping him off side or whatever, and when you bring him up again holding him away from you in a way that if he does swallow a bit of water it's easy to snort or spit it out (also not close to you or hugging him to you in a comforting way as it sends signal that underwater is somehow a bad thing);...er, that's all I can remember. Oh, and enjoy :) Feel free to ignore any or all of that, but it helped me and DD enjoy it.

Chair, hope your DD sleeping better and you also having more good days. I loved your description of the good times. I love hearing all the happy DC moments so never ever feel smug. My goodness, it is a lovely thing you are generous spirited enough to enjoy and share them when you are also struggling.

Waves to Eagle, Goat, Somewhere...and specially re-welcome to Mr&MrsOldAndCobwebby.

AFUs, T still being fab, and more or less slept through his first jabs today, bless his brave little socks (though I want him to know its okay for boys to cry too). DD still being occasionally challenging with T, and defiant and Whitney at times. I think I have been letting her watch too much TV so we have gone cold turkey - which was much easier than I thought today. Instead I picked her up early from childminder and we took a picnic tea to the nearby cemetery/park to look for Fireman Sam We didn't find him (despite calling for him and chasing mummy around a bush giggling) so we "wrote" him a letter and posted it in an empty vase asking him to visit our house. (Any good suggestions for extracting myself from this?!)... I asked her what she would like to do tomorrow and her dream is to "go to Pontypandy and blow bubbles". Sweet girl (mostly)

Scarecrow. Love dd story made me smile. Thanks. Need it shocking and I mean shocking nights sleep. Super ginger zombie from hell! !! Woke lord knows how many times. Dp was fab and got up at 4 where he fell asleep on his chest. He is knackered also but thought it was lovely as he hasn't done that since he was 3 months old
Hugs to all
Bhb. Sorry forgot to say what a worry n in the park but glad he is safe and sound.
Goat. How is M doing sleep wise
Scarecrow. Thanks for swimming tips very helpful xxx
Keep playing your key board.
Chair and knicky. Hope you are ok?

Good morning all ! Hope you are all well. Have been on my own with the kids for the past 3 days and honestly I feel so knackered. DS is usually good but last night he decided he wanted to make my life hell, calling me as soon as his sister was settled so he woke her up, it took me 4 hours to get both of them to sleep. But lets see the bright side, DH is back tonight and it is the week end ! Yeah !
LRM, how are you today ? I always think about you when I am up at night, do you still put cream on your face and brush your hair at night ? When will you get areply for the part time ? This is stressful.
Knicky, very glad DH found a solution with his employer.
Scarecrow, it is nice isn't it to have surprise activities with our eldest one ? I try to go to nursey outings with him and he loves it. But he still hates if I pick him up early, he has too much fun with his friends, dear, nrsery staff must think I am a boring Mum, so boring that DS does not want to go home ! Oh well! We will always be judged by our kids' behaviour now, won't we ?
Scarecrow and MrsW, very interesting tips about swimming with baby. Will try them when in Portugal at the end of the month.
Downstairs neighbour is selling her flat, hope will have a nice, deaf or very absent neighbour moving in. With 2 kids, it will be hard to keep them quiet and not drop toys on the wooden floor.
Off to shops, have visitors on Sun, need to prepare a 5 course meal....

Morning! Lrm not a great night for me either, baby s being dreamfeeding on and off since early hours. grrrr. still sleeping though so at least one of us will be cheery today ... Bet my hair is worse than yours

scarecrow i need that course. Im in pelvic floor denial. laughed at your dd being 'Whitney' Im guessing whiney but maybe not!

Oops she's awake. time for some inane stories about little animals then on.with the day!

I meant to say whiney but actually a diva sadly a better description as disobedient, whiney and imperious this morning.... I have banned tv for entire weekend (she was so much better but infuriating dh pit tv on this morn and we were back to square one). I've just managed two days on my own this week with no tv last day and he can do two flipping hours. plus he undermined my decision. grrrr
on plus side just had wonderful happy swim with dd and we plan go to open farm Sunday this weekend poss camp up on Sat night nearby....and am going to buy my turbo trainer on Sat.
DH away for a week on Monday so making most of his nappy changes quality family time

Sorry for all the sleep woes. Are lots of you co sleeping? are LOs in your rooms? T is in a crib in our room.

I'm feeling a bit unfair to my lovely girl, on reflection. I should say the bad behaviour was an hour max, it's just I am very intolerant of whining and the disobedience has tipped from cheek to naughty and I'm not in the mood today after v difficult day yesterday with other stuff. Deep breath! She is, for the record, mostly sweet and kind and good... She even waved and said "goodbye childrens, have a good lesson" when we got out of the toddler pool this morning.

Sscarecrow. You alway remain positive and see the best in situations. Lovely to read. Ps slap dh naughty boy xx
Bythesea. Made me laugh out loud my hair worse then yours mine has been shocking for weeks. Needs cutting. It is nearly at my waist. Sending big hugs to you and e.
Bhb. Oh my you have the best memory very impressive. Yes to moisturize but no to hair well I re tie it sometimes. I also think if you are awake too. Took him out in the pram for a nap too hot would not sleep so both on my bed cooler sleeping peacefully after a feed so much cooler pram was like an oven.

Mum and dad come to help after night from hell. Decided to mow the garden. Silly mummy knackered.
Bhb. Hope you have a better night. 4 hours that is soooo stressful especially on your own. Hope you haves a lovely weekend and enjoy your company. I lived in a flat in Hong Kong and remember my mum telling me to be quiet for the people downstairs.

So many posts and so little time.

Will just say to all those experiencing sleep troubles I feel your pain. DD is still waking every 3 hours and sometimes is impossiblr to settle. What happened to the baby who obly had one night feed? Bring her back! Trying to get a baby to sleep is the most frustrating and boring task, isn't it? Having to stay calm when inside you're screaming obscenities. How about reading them this? Hope all are sleeping beautifully soon.

scarecrow I'm equally intolerant of whining and naughtiness. I love Whitney as a description! It's fine to have a moan about it. They test our patience and it's important to have an outlet for our frustration. Sometimes I feel a bit guilty too though. Today we had a full day out and DS missed his nap. It was boiling hot and he had a meltdown, unusually. I think I was too hard on him given he was exhausted and unable to control himself. Lots of hugs when we got home. I guess we don't always call it right.

I'm still keeping afloat. Trying to achieve something every day so the house doesn't get me down and so that I can stay focused. This week I've been gardening like a mofo, and pleasantly surprised at my ability to shift large quantities of earth. Have decided to start Buggyfit again next week as I think I'm finally ready. I will stay positive!

Sun and fun to all.