Tinsel and Tantrums- The NEW (and festive) 2 or more kids under 3 thread!

[SpookyGrrrl]

Here we are girls!

Feel free to join us if you have 2 or more kids under 3yrs old- we won't bite

For any potential newbies, I have 2 boys, the oldest is 2 yr 5mths, and the youngest is 13mths.

Evening all

Had a good day - some messing around with the DCs helping me in the garden, and then making chocolate cake with DD for one of DP's friends (who was quite touched, especially by the smarties she insisted had to go on top).

...I sound like a proactive, calm mummy but I still ended up with one or both of them screaming at me inconsolably a few times... So no prizes there.

Still waiting for DD's chicken pox...

LM and Tracyface - it's great when they start playing together, isn't it?

Evening - I take it all back this weekend has been awful.

No playing together now just Melissa being horrid to poor Isaac. They are both ill again with new bug of really runny nose and nasty cough which has caused Melissa to throw up twice in the car just by coughing. I cant believe I just washed and dried the car seat only for her to do it again a day later!

She obviously feels really ill because she hasnt eaten for about three days unless you count a handful of grapes and she is just drinking her milk. But she is taking it out on poor Isaac by pulling his hair or hitting him if he crawls near her. He had his jabs on friday so is also fighting that. They are both so unhappy. I have had to get the travel cot out to keep Isaac safe from her if I have to leave the room.

I hope next week is better as we have almost run out of calpol!

luckymummy Isaac is now just one so he is doing ok but cant stand on his own yet but is getting braver at trying to reach across from the side table to the sofa whilst cruising.

Hope everyone is ok x

sorry to hear about all the illness- mine are just snotty now (thank god!)

had quite a nice weekend, although i came dangerously close to falling out with my FIL. They have a horse and he collects / repairs tractors (it makes them sound a bit grand, but they aren't) and i'm very wary of George being involved with them as he's so little, but i'm trying to not be overprotective at the time. So, we popped over for a visit and George helped step MIL do something with the horse, while FIL was faffing with his tractor (a big one). Then he was having George sit on his knee while he drove the tractor about (i had to close my eyes, but i didn't intervene)
Then FIL wanted Dyl (who is barely 18mths, with no sense of danger and flings himself off things) to sit on his knee while he drove it. I said no, he kept saying 'yes' (which was annoying enough in itself) then he said he'd have him on his knee but wouldn't drive it, so i handed him over and stood next to him in front of the big back wheel. Then FIL revved and pulled forward (hoping i think that i'd jump out of the way and he could drive off) but instead i jumped and shouted at him and took Dylan off him. I was f**king bouncing tbh, and then they were both going on about having Dyl overnight on his own, without George.
I've told DH they aren't having him for a while- partly as i'm so irritated by it all, but mostly because i don't trust them to do as i ask with him.
Apart from that, pretty good weekend. Took the kids to McDonalds got a couple of things done round the house and er, 'romanced' DH a couple of times Back to work today though

Is anyone planning any Summer holidays this year?

tracyface you have my biggest sympathy for the washing vomit out of the carseat....one of my biggest pet hates! First time DD1 did it, luckily I had just arrived at my parents and my Dad, who would give anyone on the Krypton Factor a run for their money (he is just sooo practical and logical!) even struggled to work out how to put all the bits back together again. Maybe it's just the car seat we've got but they don't make it easy do they?

Grrrl I would have been fuming too. I just think a lot of the time sometimes they just don't get it.

We are going on our summer holiday in less than 8 weeks .
Going to Cornwall for 2 weeks. One of the weeks my sis and her fiance coming too, so we get a babysitter!!!

LM x

Evening All

Glad you had a good weekend on balance, Grrrl. (I'd have been hopping mad too. I saw a woman riding along on one of those mobility scooters with a baby who was about 8m, just on her knee as far as I can see. - better than on a tractor though.)

Tracyface - Sounds like Melissa has had the same as Freya had last week (lots of coughing and puking - she's sort of better now except for being in a terrible mood). I hope it doesn't turn into a chest infection (especially since she's due to get chicken pox sometime in the near future).

LM - at Cornwall (I've never been). Have to think of somewhere to go this year (or just over Easter).

ooh Cornwall sounds lovely- i've never been either. We're going to Menorca in September, and i can't wait Maybe we'll do Cornwall next year

Should be working but just went to buy the DCs some clothes instead - both are growing so fast, I figured it was time...

As usual I got loads more for DD than DS - boys' clothes are pants (sometimes quite literally (sorry!)). But I didn't manage to get DD a t-shirt with a rocket ship on... (she really wants one and keeps asking why DS can have one and she can't) - I looked all around the boys; section as well.

Hello girls!

Sorry for once again huge gap in posting. I literally have the laptop for 5 min a time and it is getting quite annoying. But enough of that!

grrrl definate Grrr re your FIL. Especially going against your wishes. I hate it when my mum and dad do that.

Update from me? Nothing really. The girls are at last playing very well together (albeit rough sometimes, but Izzy giggles away) and I made them an assault corse today out of leather storage boxes, a steping stool thingy, and the sofa cushions. Kept them amused for ages and I had to watch Freya do each star jump, and Izzy generally climb around and wave lots.

Our summeer holidays are on a farm in dorset, Freya loves animals and it would be nice for her ot to be so wary of them. How have you gotten around your little ones being scared of animals (like cats/dogs/rabbits, not lions, giraffes, hyenas) would be interested to know.

Anyway lovely ladies, off to finish wine and think about bed!

xxJ&Gxx

I agree Chaotica, boys clothes are pants! And there is even less selection over here than in the UK so am not looking foward to having to buy winter stuff for DS1. Might have to send SIL to tescos on my behalf and post it all over here

Hi Jewels, not too sure about the animal thing, both my DS's seem to love animals and aren't particularly wary (which isn't necessarily a good thing!) tho we are only talking dogs and cats and maybe the odd sheep or cow!

Grrl that is very annoying about your FIL, I don't blame you for not wanting Dylan to stay there on his own.

Getting very jealous of you all talking about your summer hols, as we are about to head into autumn/winter

hello

first time posting on this thread and really needing some kind words... feeling so overwhelmed with 4mth baby and wild toddler, house in chaos, no time for me and i just don't seems to be able to meet anyones needs. baby currently waking every 1 1/2 hours during night so just feeling delirious most of time. help help help xxx

Hi All and welcome mamatilly I have DD 2.10 and DS 17m

Mamatilly - I'm sorry that you're having such a hard time with your LO and toddler combination... Have you tried co-sleeping? I would have gone loopy if I hadn't with DS, although I never did when I had one baby. It meant I had more sleep which made me saner. (If you're not bf, do you have anyone who could get up with the baby?) It gets better, really it does - my two play together now and soon I'll be feeling like a spare part. Can you tire your toddler out and try to persuade them both to nap at once (while you do too)?

Jewels - good to see you're still around. But LOL I'm afraid at your Freya being afraid of a rabbit (now dogs and cats I can understand...). It reminded me of the Monty Python sketch (In the Meaning of Life?) where everybody is terrified of the terrible monster and it's a fluffy white bunny. Sorry!

Actually, our Freya was none too keen on dogs for a while (with good reason as she'd met an awful yappy one), so me and my sister effectively made her deal with it while my sister's (enormous, but harmless) dog was around. Plenty of getting down on the dog's level and making the dog be a person 'ooh look, he's coming to talk to you' while also teaching her to be firm (she doesn't have to put up with a shnoffly nose in the face or getting knocked down). I wouldn't say she was totally fine, but she's a lot more confident which is the most important thing. Do you know anyone who has nice dogs, cats, rabbits who you could go and see?

Kaybee - I shouldn't moan about clothing choice then if you're going to get them sent from the UK. What a pain. (I'd send you some old ones, but DS will be littler than your DS1.)

By the way - can i have a negligent parent award? I checked DD for chicken pox and went to the dentist and playgroup as none were to be found... Then half way through play group she says to the playgroup leader "look at the sticker I got from the dentist" "and look at this big spot I've got on my tummy" We got out of there before circle time, but I guess I'm not going to be the most popular mum around.

Hi Mamtilly- i PROMISE it gets better. Honest! At the stage you're at, basic needs are just food and sleep. Sod housework! Mine are 2yrs 10mths and 18mths now, and bit by bit things are getting easier. Hang in there! And stick around, we're a nice bunch!

thanks guys xxx

mamatilly Hope you're having a better few days. Is your DH/DP off at the weekends to help out?

I found it a real struggle when DD2 was little, (2 year gap, DD1 almost 3 and D2 almost 1 now). It does get easier, and I know it's a cliche, but just remember that it will pass.

Last summer when my DD2 was little, I used to long for this summer when I had a 3 and a one year old, as I knew it would be easier/nicer. Now we're almost there, and it actually seems to have come around quite quickly.

This is a wonderfully supportive thread. Stick with us girl!

Welcome mamatilly and yes, as the others say it does get better. there will be those days when everything goes wrong, and no matter what happens you cannot get on top of things, but as time goes on these get less and less.

DH and I have been shopping in ToysR us today for Freya's 3rd birthday present. God that place is huge. It was a really stressful trip! I picked up a babydoll that waves it's arms and legs and had a bed, but did not have a dummy. And then I found one that did have a dummy, but no bed! In the end, I bought the crying one with the dummy, and a rocking crib, and a "first" baby doll for Izzy (because she won't understand why she does not have any presents) and a tea set. Still need a party dress, party food, tablecloths, etc etc oh god thank god it is only once a year!!! [exasperated emoticon]

Other than that all fine, Izzy bit grumpy because lots of teeth cutting at same time.

Speak soon girls

Hi Mamatilly & welcome

It does get easier, most of the time.

expect to have some bad hair-tearing days and then you don't get stressed when they happen!

I have DS1 (2.10) & DS2 (14mo) and have recently been able to get on top of housework/laundry & get on with odd jobs that have sat on my to do list for months!
DS2 still sleeps lots which sort of helps. looking forward to him dropping a nap (can't believe i'm saying that!) so we can get out more as a family.
Esp over the summer.
we are just getting out into the garden more which makes life much better, less tv, etc.

ds1 not well today, been sick twice, fingers crossed we get an ok night, not sure what it could be.
and ds2 just getting over one set of jabs, been up crying already tonight.
calpol is on call, lol.

Happy Mother's Day to everyone tomorrow

Hi Mamatilly - yes I sound like i'm repeating but it is my mantra . It will get easier! although I'm having a tough week with Melissa who is just 2 and Isaac is just one. She has a tummy bug (just the bottom end now sorry tmi) and Isaac has a double ear infection and bronchialitus again!

So we have been at casualty again for treatment on the nebuliser which works great until they send us home and then have to go back again.

My kids are always ill and I wonder if its because we go to so many different toddler groups to pick up so many germs?

Melissa not sleeping well so really tired here an not had time to do much wedding planning grrr!

Hi All

Sorry to hear Melissa and Isaac are sick, Tracyface. I don't know whether toddler groups have anything to do with it. Maybe. But then I found having to have DD go to the hospital (I was in a lot when pg with DS) was terrible for her too. I think kids can just have a run of things too - DD was really sick far more often last winter than this.

Talking of which, Freya has the chicken pox now and they're terrible. She's covered, poor girl and she's almost delirious. I had to keep them both home from the CM's and she's spent most of the day lying on the sofa watching beebies. (She did try to go in the garden with me and DS, but was back in 5 minutes later.) I hope she's over the worst by tomorrow. Poor DS is going stir crazy, and he's getting upset by DD's tantrums too. I'm knackered and should be working... (Sorry - long moan!)

I'll manage an upbeat post next time, I promise!

don't worry about being upbeat Chaotica- it's blinking dull and dreary being stuck in, especially when it's chicken pox. Dyl has been ill all week, vomiting, not eating and most frightneing of all, screaming like i've never him scream before- literally all night unless he's held. All weekend i had to sleep with him in my arms or he went crazy. He's getting better though- he's eating and drinking again. Doctor thinks he might have had an ear infection which has righted itself on it's own.

Also, Dyl has started tantrums already! Proper going limp, screaming, stomping, wailing ones. They're almost amusing, sort of! George never did this.

Had a lovely morning here- been for a walk, went to the doctors then a cafe for lunch. Dyl's just gone in his cot for a nap- first time in a week! And George looks dangerously close to dropping off on the sofa Tandem napping- how often do we get that?!

Hope you're still around Mamtilly

Hello everyone and sorry to hear about those of you with little ones that are ill. Mine are running around screeching at DH, as he chases them on all fours around the house.

The toddler group sickness question is an interesting one. Mine do you attend any (not for want of trying, but they are all miles away and at wierd times) and except from the normal cold and (this year) the flu, they have not had anything else. I am sure when Freya starts nursery in August she will catch up then [but I really hope not!]

I have cut Izzy's hair today as it was getting wild. Their hair is in bug ringletty curls but does get crazy. So, I started chopping some tats out of Izzy's and then just did the whole lot. She was very patient actually but now I am looking at Freya and wondering if she needs a trim too....put the scissors down Jewels or Freya will look silly for her birthday on thursday

Bodybalance tonight so please all send me your pain relief vibes

Hi All

DD a lot better, but still spotty and having tantrums for England (I really think she could make the team [proud mummy moment])

LOL at the haircuts, Jewels. I need to sort out DS's hair (he's only ever had a trim and DP and our CM keep begging me to keep his curls).

It's freezing and rainy here and I'd promised myself we'd get out of the house to go for a walk (haven't been further than the garden since friday [cabin fever emoticon]).

Grrrl - hope dyl is getting better. Sounds like it could have been his ear.

Hi everyone.

Maybe I shouldnt jinx us but I think we are on the mend.

We have been out today to visit friends so hope they havnt caught anything and vice versa. Been nice to be out although it has been so showery so got a bit wet a few times. Melissa is in a nicer mood so she must be feeling better and she has been quite nice to Isaac and playing with him. I gave them both a little trim but its easy to get scissor happy and they have really fine blond hair so need to be careful.

Spending too much time and cash on the bay of e at the moment so having a night off

Hope chicken pox is getting better soon x

Finally hoping to get back to work tomorrow. Which is a good thing as I have so much to catch up. (Like you, Tracyface, I don't like to jinx these things with the curse of MN.)

We went out for a little while and got cold and wet, although it was worth it for the fresh air. Then we went to the car wash (which seems to entertain the DCs for some reason - and I have a clean car).

It's so quiet now DD's asleep - I had to hassle her to eat as she was determined to have a 40 minute tantrum instead (probably brought on by hunger... she was much happier after) [tears hair out] I hope she'll be better tomorrow...

Chaotica - Melissa has just had an epic tantrum lasting an hour and twenty mins and is absolutely exhausted and so am I!

Started off with she didnt like the jam I put on her sandwich at lunch and spiralled out of proportion from there (I thought I was being nice rather that giving her cheese)

Ended up with her taking off all her clothes (screaming and rolling on the floor is hot hard work) and then her nappy came off too and then she wanted to sit on my lap and have a hug which was fine but she was trying to go to sleep and I thought I may get a wet lap. I had to wrestle with her to try and get it on but she ended up tearing two pullups with her teeth. Its amazing how strong and determined toddlers can be.

I put her to bed in her cot but she only slept for half an hour so I think thats it for nap time. Seems slightly improved this afternoon I think she got to the stage when she couldnt remember why or what she was even crying about.

Chaotica - think we will also be on the Tantrum for England team with you.

Heres hoping for a calm afternoon