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.

Happy New Year All

I wouldn't worry about losing it either, Grrrl (it's hard not to sometimes - I think most of us do it). But I have to contradict what LM74 said - I'm one of these weird people who remembers way way back, before I could talk even, roughly to when I was 18m old as far as I can work out (I was still in my cot). I don't remember any bad things though (and I'm sure that's not because my mum didn't lose it - she isn't known for her patience).

Luckymummy - glad to hear you're staying as you are for the foreseeable future.

I should make a resolution about not stuffing myself with so much food all the time (pg and bf has made me all lazy about watching what I eat), or else I'm going to be enormous by next NY. (That's 'New Year' btw ) (But, Jewels, you can't be that dim if you understand UNIX...)

We're going away for the weekend to see DP's mum in her totally un-child-proofed house... With two stops planned at friends' houses which I hope will be sort of child-proofed. I'm quietly dreading it anyway, although DS might be on his best behaviour (which is currently climbing to the highest point he can in the room, waving his arms, jumping up and down, and shouting 'Da Daaaa!' ) Wish me luck, ladies

Chaotica- i have vivid memories of being 2yrs old aswell

George's potty training is going well- he's only had a nappy at night for 3 days now, with just 2 accidents (one while napping). We've not been out anywhere, so putting real underwear on him today for a very quick trip to the corner shop. When he uses his potty he runs straight for his chart and shouts 'tick! chart! tick!'

Had a great day yesterday- we all ate our meals together at the table all day which was nice. Got Dyl to try some new foods too- homemade lentil soup (liked) chapatis (liked alot) and mozzarella (liked but looked confused by it!) I also made some banana bread and they both scoffed that.

Dyl's been a bit unsettled a few nights, but i felt his gums yesterday and looks like 2 molars have broken through, so that's probably why.

Anyone made any resolutions? I'm going to learn French this year- i am tres excited!

No resolutions here, I'm afraid. I always break them.

Yes thankyou chaotica and yes! It's easy to dumb yourself down being a SAHM - do any of you find that?

Had a lovely day, Freya has been a delight and having DH here meant I enjoyed a very giggle-worthy game of hide and seek with Freya this afternoon. The thing is, she has not grasped the concept of the game yet. She is fine when she seeks me, but when I tell her to hide, she does for 1 second before coming to find me and silly shreiking! (oh and when she counts 10 ten it's adorable, here's how it goes: one, two, free, fibe, seben, eight, ten!)

Izzy has been cruising today, thought she has one bright red cheek and has been very clingy, so think a tooth getting her down. And she has some terrible tantrums (already!) if she cannot have something - tihnk I am going to have my hands full with this one!

Hi girls and a Happy New Year!

Had a nice if somewhat ill Christmas but dp cooked the turkey so that was great and he cleaned up afterwards too! Parents came over and my long lost 18 year old who is staying with them at the moment. He was embarrassed but secretly so pleased to get a selection box in his stocking. And I was so pleased to spend time with my biggest baby.

Went away for New Year and the weekend to Somerset to stay in a supposedly cosy cottage. Nice enough but glad to be home.

Melissa slept really well in her cot in her own room and thought she would cause up trouble. Isaac did not like his cot and was frightenend of the dark so had to sleep in our room with the light on. Strange as he went straight into his own cot last night with no light on and the door shut so thankfully he is back into his old routine.

As usual all my plans were scupered by me being disorganised. We had a big excited talk on the way to Longleat which was then shut, caught a glimpse of a camel which then meant Melissa crying all the afternoon because we left behind 'my canel, my canel gone' . Went into Bath and to this recommended baby friendly organic restaurant which appears to have closed down. Traipsed all the way there (melissa insited on walking(pidgensteps) It was Freezing only to find it is now someones house

I ended up drinking too much red wine and regretting it as I got woken up early and dragged myself to make bottles only to find my darling daughter still asleep and it was next door cottages darling child screaming its head off. That will teach me

Glad to be home but now panicking about Melissa starting preschool on wednesday and thinking she is too little and feeling sorry for her. We shall see how it goes.

Hi Ladies

Jewels - you can come and play hide and seek at our house. I think your Freya would be a match for ours in the failing to hide stakes. (We played with a 4 year old in the summer who still didn't get that shouting 'i'm ready!' gave the game away.) Our Freya likes you to know where she is and pretend that you don't - I think that's the game for her

I'm not a dumbed down SAHM, I'm a dumbed down WOHM. And I have to avoid the teething rings slipping out of my bag at work. (I have to admit though that nearly a year off with a baby was tough on my brain... but great for my organisational skills.)

Tracyface - sorry to hear about your new year failings. I like the 'Canel gone' though We got really confused the other night when Freya reminded us to take the pups out of an apple.

We had a mixed weekend away - saw friends with kids (good), went to cafes (especially good in Freya's books), went on kiddie rides at the seaside (also good). But had an awful a time with relatives (the reason we were away) and a visit to the out of hours doc as Freya had a burst ear drum . She seems to be on the mend now though. I'm amazed how much pain she must have been putting up with without telling us - I couldn't even get her into the doctor's without telling her it was Teddy who was sick.

DD1 started playgroup today and enjoyed it. They said she had a few 'missing mummy' tears but I suppose that is to be expected, first day and all. She didn't know a soul there, so she did really well. They told me when I picked her up that she was very good at drawing, esp circles and faces, very polite, very clear in her talking and expressed her needs well and that we should be very proud of her.....it made my day. Bless her. And she walked all the way there (half hour) and back in the snow, which she was quite scared of!!!

tracyface your post made me chuckle....I love Bath so am a bit that you were there!!

We have booked a midweek break to Centerparcs for end of Jan. Just before I return to work [eek!]. The day we go happens to be 10 years to the day since DH and I had our first date....... Who'd have thought back then......

GoodGrrl Bonne Chance avec la francais. Believe it or not, I did A-level french (D). I could 'get by' but my grammar is shocking now.
My NY (that's new year jewels [only joking]) resolutions are:

1. Take DD2 (and DD1) swimming at least once a week. We have just joined David Lloyd as they have really dropped their prices where we are, and we did it mainly so that we can take the girls swimming there, and I can swim there. I get wheezy and allergic to chlorine in the public pools, and I love swimming.

1. Drink more water. So far failed miserably on this. It's too cold and I just wanna drink tea!

Not even worth saying lose weight as it's an ongoing battle, but my sister gets married in August and I am 'MOH' so I want to feel good for that. I only want to lose about 10 lbs but it's so hard.......I'm one of those people who eats healthily 85% of the time and exercises but just really struggles....

Anyway, enough from me, I promised myself an early night!

LM xxx

Chaotica- Freya's ear sounds awful Poor thing!

Sleep's been crappy here for a while now- will be glad when Dyl's molars have come through. Every day's been pretty much the same, i'm just hanging on for Menorca in June. I booked the holidays in work, so at least now i can look at the holiday board and be excited! Plus in March my CM can have the boys an extra day in the week, and i can stop working Saturdays. Yay!

We're not too bad though- the boys are playing well together, although George is in time out at least once a day for walloping Dyl or refusing to share toys and wrestling them off him. Potty training going great too- he takes off his 'night time nappy' in the morning, to put on his 'big boys pants' and accidents are minimal.

Builders came yesterday to price knocking down a wall and redecorating our living room, so just need to get onto the bank for a loan now- fingers crossed!

Hope you're all good.

Luckymummy it sounds like your dd did really well for her first day at playschool. Is she just going one day a week?

Chaotica - poor Freya and her ear it must have been so painful. Hope she gets better soon.

Goodgrl Melissa thinks its ok to take toys from Isaac as long as she gives him something in return. Bit unfair as she keeps taking all his new chrismas presents and giving him boring old toys from the bottom of the toy basket. She is so going to get a sharing shock when she goes to playschool tomorrow and thursday.

Isaac has burnt himself on the radiator three times this morning but still hasnt learnt not to touch it. Its so cold or I would turn it off. Melissa has always had quite a careful sensible approach when I told her not to touch because it was hot(she usually took my word for it) Isaac has a daredevil mentality and seems to enjoy a bit of pain like banging his head on his highchair for fun - strange baby!

tracyface She is going 2 mornings a week.

I'm sorry if I seemed a bit 'braggy' with what I said that they said about her at playgroup. I told my sister last night and she said "don't tell other people that cos it just sounds like you're bragging".

Lol luckymummy not braggy at all just very proud. Its really nice that your daughter got such positive feedback on her first day I think two days a week is about right in the beginning for them. How old is she?

I'm sure Melissa wont tomorrow when she goes. Im a Nursery Nurse and have a Degree in early childhood studies so I know how difficult it can be for children to settle and I am sending her because she suffers from separation anxiety and I think it might help her or perhaps it will make her worse?She isnt two till the end of Feb so she is really little but is so clingy at toddler group it seems such a shame she wont allow herself to play without being attached to my leg. So it will either kill or cure

I am so nervous about her going , but it will be lovely to spend a couple of hours with Isaac at softplay as I have never had him to myself so I am looking forward to that.

I will let you know how it goes

hope it goes well traceyface- it's always nice when i have one of the boys to myself for a bit.

tracyface do let us know how it goes. My DD1 was 2 in May, so she's just over 2.5yrs.

Obviously you have tons more experience at rearing children than me, but I am a bit of a 'firm but fair' or a 'cruel to be kind' mummy. She may well not like it at first, and you aswell, cos it can be upsetting, but if you stick with it, she will probably end up loving it, and it will be worth it in the end, IYSWIM.

I suppose the thing is to consider the alternative, which is her being more clingy as she gets older.....???

Good Luck

got the loan for doing out the living room. Starting next week- the mess will be horrendous as they're also taking out a whole wall, but we'll have the loads more room and it'll look lovely (i hope!)

Having a good day anyway- veggie lasagne on the go, kids are watching Cbeebies, and despite having maybe 5hrs sleep last night, i'm not half as grumpy as usual!

Tracyface- with the toys sharing thing, i wouldn't mind if George was swopping things. He's more into playing with something, seeing Dyl go near something else, he has to have that too. Then the next, then the next, until he's on his trike with a stash of stolen toys shouting 'Noooooo! Naughty Dylan!' if he tries to take anything back!

Oh well, Melissa managed to last an hour bless! She started off well and did not cry when I left her which I was very surprised about and was feeling quite emotional but secretly pleased.
I had just sat down with a large hot chocolate and Isaac was happy munching on his rich tea when they came to get me to say they thought she had had enough.(or they had had enough) So she was really pleased to see me so I stayed for the rest of the session. She managed to eat her fruit so she couldnt have been too traumatised! She was very pleased with her new blue sweatshirt with a spider on that she can wear tomorrow. She put it on and has gone to bed in it not before telling both Nanny and Daddy on the phone that she 'played toys and I cried' . Poor little thing . Will have to go through it all again tomorrow.

Just waiting for my shopping to be delivered Im so annoyed now that i didnt order dougnuts - I could really do with a treat as quite a stressful morning.

tracyface Sounds like she did OK. At least she likes her sweatshirt .

Hope tomorrow is a bit better.

Grrl We knocked a wall down between our kitchen and 'den' (playroom) and we have never looked back...it's great!

Hello girls

I am really interested reading the nursery/playgroup posts from you tracey and LM. Freya I am sure will be fine aw nursery though I told her she would go when she is 3, and she said she wanted to go now, but when I say I will drop her off and pick her up....it is like the realisation suddenty kicks in that she will be there without me and then she has a worried look (only to be expected I guess)

Izzy on the other hand worries me. She is very clingy to me and although I do love her chunky firm hugs I do worry she will not be happy to go to nursery. Still, maybe that means I should do something now (like ask my mum to have her for an hour every week or something?)

Freya also takes a toy off Izzy and substitutes it for some random object (like a peice of duplo, or a hairbrush) and thinks that's ok.

I have just started potty training Izzy (she was waking with dry nappies, and at 1, we started Freya potty training so Izzy seems to be following the same kinda thing) and yesterday she did 2 wees in the potty, then a poo on the toilet! She was grinning the whole time too and looked really cute sat there

I am trying to convince DH to have the snip. Because, I am not kidding, the way we are going we will be having another baby very soon and I am even allowing myself time to daydream about having another (serious stuff)

Bodybalance was hell last night (new routine) and I feel like I have been run over today. Could hardly lift Izzy up! Was so hungry when I got home and DH cooked crab cakes for me, followed by bacon sandwich, followed by ice cream with melted chocolate oh, and a glass of pink sparkly jacobs creek.

Sleep all fine here....just off for some myself in 10 mins....xx

Hi all. Thanks for the sympathy for Freya. I think she's on the mend - she seemed pretty good today and we went shopping today (only indoor activity I could think of as it was snowing and freezing).

LOL at the sharing stories - we have exactly the same problems around here.

LM74 - I don't think you were boasting about your DD. And Tracyface, I hope Melissa does better next time.

DS is really clingy at the moment (more than usual) and I don't really know why. (Maybe just teeth.)

More later when I get the chance - rl is manic at the moment.

jewels- i've been momentarily thinking 'but what if...' about another baby down the line, but the reality of 3 kids would kill us i think. Plus we can't afford the lifestyle we'd like with more kids- i'd like to be bale to take the boys on holiday once a year and for DH and i to go out together once a month, and we can only just afford that now! Plus i couldn't keep working if we had 3.

I seem to have insomnia, have done for 3 or 4 nights now. Even if the boys are asleep i'm lying there wide awake. I'm so tired this morning i feel hungover, when i went upto bed with a hot chocolate just after 8pm Got work today too.

jewels at you potty training a one year old....hasn't she just turned one? Blimey, she's ace!!!! Well done Izzy!!

Re: the snip.....Probably not the best idea for your DH ot have it if you haven't 100% made up your mind that no more kids. I feel 100% sure I don't want anymore, but we still have to go for 'vasectomy counselling' before they'll do the op.....

For us, two is enough, we always said two, I'm chuffed to bits I have two girls, I know that as Grrl said, for us to live the life we want to live, two kids is enough. Otherwise it would mean moving house etc etc.

DD1 at playgroup again this am....cried a bit when we got there and she realised we weren't staying, but within 3 mins was dressing up as a dog !!

Morning, Ladies [yawn]

I'm with you Grrrl about a third child. I would sort of like to, but my lifestyle, job, sanity, house-size, car-size all mean that I doubt I'll do it. Besides, I have the good authority of my CM who reckons that an odd number of DCs is certainly not the way to go, and that if you have a 3rd you should also have a 4th... On the other hand, we've decided that DP won't get the snip for a while (I got the mirena coil instead).

Jewels - GO Izzy! That's very good potty training for 1. As she's not at nursery, you probably won't have the problem my friend's LO did as they put her in nappies despite her being potty trained (because they "won't let her use the potty until 2" - very confusing for her, and led to loads of accidents )

Grrrl - your house plans sounds great.

Sorry Grrrl - either 'your house plan sounds great', or 'your house plans sound great'

Lm now you are going to think im boasting but....Melissa had a fab time at nursery this morning. She was desparate to put on her sweatshirt and on the way there we had a little chat about not crying at nursery and she told them when she got there 'no cry, play toys' and off she went. I was expecting them to call me so I sat at home waiting with my coat on and then went to get her normal time and she was all smiles.

I cant believe it. They said she had a little wobbly moment at one point but then sorted herself out and played happily. I am so relieved altho I guess she might have a setback next wed when she realises she has to go again but at the moment I am feeling I did make the right choice to send her so early yet a little put out that she seems to be settling ok.

As for Vasectomy counselling my dp didnt mention anything about that altho he is on the list for the snip too. Still hav'nt heard anything(well he hasnt told me anything) Maybe because I have five children already they didnt think it was an issue? (although only the last two are his his). I would like another if I wasnt too old and could leave it another year or two. But thats it now we have decided no more. I would really like to get back to work at some point. And Yes we dont have the room for anymore or the financial drain.

Jewels Melissa has also been potty training since she was 16 months but its a bit hit and miss. She asks for the potty quite a bit during the day but always looks surprised to find a wee in there when she looks. She also does most of her poos on it but again we can have about 4 or 5 goes before we have success. I find it very time consuming and a bit wearing(tbh). I almost wish we had waited until she could actually control the urge which she doesnt seem yet able to do. So your little izzy is doing great so long may it continue.

I have got one of those portable pottys to take out with me because she gets quite upset if she asks and I cant let her go but I dont fancy sitting her on it in the middle of the dshopping centre if the mood takes her !

tracyface that's great news about Melissa at nursery....I'm sure she'll be fine now? Bless her. My DD1 was better today too.

Chaotica Just a very friendly word of waring about the Mirena...I had one fitted last year, and was told "OH, you would definitely feel it if it came out....it would be quite painful..."

So one day, I'm removing a 'lady product' and I notice that there is something on the wall in the bathroom when I flush the loo. I didn't have my lenses in as was about to hit the shower. I thougth it was a little clot (so sorry if TMI) but it was....(you've guessed it) MY COIL !!!

I hadn't felt a thing....scary! I don't feel that I can trust one again (hence DH snip) as if it had gone straight down the loo, I would have just flushed it away and carried on.....you know whatting....thinking I was protected.

So all I would say is.....DEFINITELY check your strings regularly!!!!

Sorry all, hope that wasn't TMI

I think the counselling thing is just a local thing here.

warning, not waring