FEB 2010 Teeth, nosh and smelly bums - it's all go, six months on!!

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Where did the last half a year go??!

Oh, BG

Hope DD2 is feeling better today...

IC thanks. She was not her usual smiley self today at all and hardly ate and drank. I'll see what she is like tonight and may take her to be checked over tomorrow. It's just awful when Mama can't help... normally cuddle/calpol does the trick...

Apologies for my spelling the other night.

Poor BG and baby. I hate it when they are ill.

BC with you on the sick. The lounge carpet is beyond saving me thinks. We're getting a lot of it at times but fewer occasions. I'm not sure I'd call it possetting most of the time!!

The alarm has started going off again here as DS2 has a cold. Have propped him (well, the cot) up on books again and it seems to be helping. I have decided that if it happens more than once in a night this week I am going to take him to a and e in order to get someone to look at him straight away and to speed up the monitoring process. By the time they arrive to monitor him overnight, he's bound to be cold-free and it won't happen. Very disappointed as it hadn't happened for a few weeks.

Despite the above, I've had a much better few days. To be honest, I think most of my problems are related to the chronic tiredness. We got 5 hours in one go the other night for only the third time in nearly 7 months and I felt like a new woman.

Had a nightmare in Mothercare today though (while DH was at home fitting roof bars to my car ready for holiday on Friday). Firstly, the trolley had no restraints (about which the assistant laughed when I told her - WTF?) which meant DS1 tried to leap out when I popped into an aisle without the trolley (having forgotten about the absent straps) and DS2 fell across the trolley catching his mouth on the other side when I got DS1 out to try on a coat. DS2 also has a fascination with DS1's ears and spent the whole time trying to pull at the one he could reach!!

In addition: I picked up an item of clothing to look at it and found the hugest of spiders running across it. I screeched inadvertantly and then had to cover up to DS1 why I had done so! DS1 also opened the back door of DH's car that I was driving (months after I had asked him to put the child locks on, as they are in my car). Also having a period again and realised I was leaking half way round. Couldn't risk going into the toilets due to lack of restraints on the trolley for both DSs! Won't be going back again in a hurry!! Red wine has helped though!!

We also went on a family bike ride today for the first time. I had DS2 in a seat on the back of my bike and was a little nervous as I haven't cycled in 3 years, let alone with a wriggly (and rather precious) baby on the back.

Sorry for the ramble. Hope you are all ready to face the week ahead.

bethy poor you and DS2. And what an adventure in mothercare but good news on the holidays front.

We had a bad night today with DS waking up for one hour at 11.30pm and not been able to settle him back down. After crying for a bit, I managed to reassure him, put the mobile on, he was fascinated and went quiet and fell asleep... He is still asleep so now I'll have to go and wake him up.

Don't want to go to work but can't complain this week I'm only working 3 days

My dd2 was fine overnight and just had proper coarse porridge with us... She was a bit surprised about the texture but managed fine

BG glad your DD is better.
bethylou hugs

GF there is a pregnant lady who is homesick. May be you have some advice for her, I guess she is on the same island . www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/1038666-Expat-far-away-from-home-no-support-network-and-missing

Going to the dentist tomorrow with DD2 as she has fallen on one of her brand new teeth and is now slanted inward. I can see numbers 5 and 6 coming through so more sleep broken nights to come...

A few tears from dd2 this morning so far due to dd1 being in nursery and dd2 missing her. Dd2 also still gets up on all fours and then launches herself forward hoping for the best... It never works . I am in no hurry for her to crawl because it will make my life so much harder. At the moment I can leave her playing in any room upstairs and be quite confident she won't make it to the staircase on her own. Once crawling, they get up speed very quickly and then I'm in trouble

mamaloco hope your little one is ok. Baby teeth are usually quite robust

thanks BG I think she will be OK, I am just a bit worried that it will make the adult one grow differently as you can see it has been displaced.

I agree on the moving! GGGAAAAAHHHH.
DD2 is following me everywhere already (I am happy that we don't have stairs this time around ). She has try launching herself in the bath (she loves it), and try to play with the gas nobs . I can' t leave her 2 sec as you have guessed with the tooth's story!
At least when they are a bit older the do understand NO, or at least react to their names. She is just starting to do the later, so finger crossed I might be able to stop her long enough to reach her, unless she chooses to completely ignore me like DD1

My LO has started fibbing!!! She uses a few German baby words now and usually in context. Yesterday morning she only drank half her milk and tried to convince me it was 'all gone' and today I changed her and she told me she had a 'poo' in her nappy (when her nappy was fine)... . Can't believe that girl! Dd1 can't lie at all - I just have to open my eyes wide and she falls over laughing confessing to everything . I used to do that to my younger brother, too, until he wised up at around aged 7...

Must remember not to play upside-down games of any sort with dd2 just after she had lunch . Second time round I should really have known that ?

BG can't believe yours uses words, let alone in context. I do think that maybe dh we don't talk enough around her.

The fact that she's crawling now seems to have really changed things, feel like I don't have my little baby anymore and trying to suppress broody emotions (just the other day I decided I wouldn't have another one). I'm a bit worried about co-sleeping now and the house suddenly seems a lot smaller.

We still have no sign of teeth, but teething symptoms continue. Guess she's just one of those babies that it really affects.

Hope everyones LOs get/stay well.

beth any word on DS1? Are you going to complain to mothercare?

IC - did anything work for your sleep

As for DH getting 8 hours sleep, it's because I send him to bed at 10pm. That way if she wakes after 6, he deals with her. Also if she's having a bad night, then we take it in turns to sit with her until she's asleep again. Most nights, this only happens once, so its me, but the last few nights it's been several times. It's like she can't get into deep sleep atm

On the plus she is now sleeping in the day, but it's a nightmare getting her to sleep (guess she's out of routine). So we're getting her to sleep in our arms again, figure once sh's OK like this for a few days switch back to PU/PD

bethylou, blimmin' Mothercare, honestly - you'd expect them of all stores to have child-friendly trolleys....

mamaloco I'm impressed at your LO's fast development, but not envious!!! I can only imagine how you cope keeping an eye on two of them rushing around. I'm thankful DD's held off on both the mobility and the teeth so far... (her sitting's getting better all the time though and she loves to stand and can hold her weight for ages and only needs minimal help to keep her balance...)

BG words!!! Blimey.

CC funnily enough, overnight sleep is still loads better since the self-settling regime was put in place (although I'm grappling with the early mornings that have come with it...) but naps are all over the shop. She won't be put down to sleep without numerous attempts and will hold out for ages before she finally conks out, then barely manages 30 mins at a time. I was thinking of your DD only today as my DD woke up after 28mins of sleep for the second time... The only way I can get her to sleep for longer is to pound the pavements with her in the pram. I'm not sure quite what to do about it, really, but figure I'm going to have to stop feeding her to sleep, but don't really have a useful alternative (apart from the pram, but that will inevitably become yet another habit, I suspect...)
Advice welcome!

what about your insomnia IC It's all I can do to not punch DH for having the audacity to sleep loudly next to me .

Ah, MY sleep!!

Much better than it was, thanks! I think the hypnotherapy helped.
Also, I'm gradually adapting to DD's new overnight timetable, which means I'm now sleeping for longer when she is for the most part. I find it hard to get back to sleep after a wake up at around 05.00 - but that's mainly because I'm aware that it's unlikely DD will sleep for long after that time, so I guess my mind refuses to let my body go back to sleep as I'm mentally getting ready to be woken up again.

Loud sleep (snoring...) usually results in DH being shoved (not punched - yet!!)

Ooh, so much going on, don't think I can comment on everything individually so I'll have to go for themes. Please don't be offended!

DHs: Mine varies from useless to OK. He's great with the kids and never stops me doing anything I want to do, but I feel he does the bare minimum to get by in the house (I am at home so accept that the vast majority of housework should fall to me, but wish he could occasionally do something without being prompted!

Talking: Wow on the early talker! My DD1 was an early talker (50 words by age one) and she hasn't stopped since...

Moving babies: DD2 is still only crawling backwards but has finally got to grips with sitting unassisted (hoorah).

PND: I remember reading that checklist and thinking that I had days when I felt all of those things and that they were just part of being a mum! But if you are really struggling, then definitely see your GP. Remember that it is a medical condition, not an inability to cope.

Poos: Blackberries do interesting things too! I hated raisin poos with DD1 so used to split the raisins before giving them to her so they got digested!

Food: Going well here. The only things that DD2 doesn't seem to like are banana and melon. We're well into textured purees and finger foods (breadsticks are brilliant) and it's all going the right way.

Milk: We're down to three bottles and the bedtime one is often only 2oz.

Sleeping: Still fab at 7pm-8am (sorry).

School: DD1 has started pre-school, and is loving it (and they seem to love her, which is a relief!).

Me: The SPD seems to have finally gone, but my contact lenses are really playing up. Grr. Still, I'm better off than DH who has shingles, poor thing.

Sorry, very me post. I'll try and do better with commenting on what others are doing next time.

Ha, Watercress - I like the checklist.

BG I'm also very impressed that your DD is talking already.

mamaloco poor toothy! Hope dentist appointment went ok.

IC So glad your sleeping is better. I think hypnotherapy is great (if you have a good practitioner). Have you written any more novel? Would love to read if so.

bethylou Sorry about nightmare in mothercare. I hate spiders too and there seems to be loads around at the moment. Huge buggers, too.

We had a really good night (for us) down at 7.30 - a disturbance at midnight with some local youth/druggie types shouting outside my door which woke us all up, then baby woke at 4 and went back to sleep pretty quickly and then up at 6.30. He napped like an angel during the day, didn't give me grief at mealtimes and vomited a lot less today. We got the train up to London Bridge and met my friend who lent us the house in France and I gave him + his DW the shortbread I'd made as a thank you present and we had lunch at a Korean restaurant (I had never had Bibimbap before). DS went down again at 7.30 and I've done the washing up, had a lovely cheese omlette for my tea and I'm now relaxing with a chocolate brownie and a small glass of calvados. DH is out at a works things and I am SO HAPPY to have quiet house and some time to myself.

The Wonder Weeks book suggested putting a mirror in front of the baby when they eat and I did this today and it did seem to result in happier mealtimes.

BG talking?! I thought DS1 did well to say 'teddy' at 9 months - and the HV wouldn't even believe me then!

DS2 does that caterpillar thing whereby he pushes up on his arms, moves his knees, launches himself downwards and repeats. This is actually very effective when tying to reach a full potty/trainset/jigsaw etc..

No word on DS1 CC but DS2 has the oxygen monitor on tonight (after another 3 phonecalls) so we'll see what transpires. Seems fine tonight so far (of course), but the lovely young nurse did say that children do get sleep apnoea and that the paediatrician was talking rubbish to say that healthy babies don't have it!

Sorry to hear about the poorly tooth Mamaloco - hope it will all be ok.

Watercress sounds good re SPD. Mine is gradually improving (though not fast enough for DH, who really would like my legs to part considerably further than they currently do... Sorry to hear about the contact lenses. I believe you can stop producing tears in pregnancy (and presumably while the hormones are readjusting after too?) This is one of the other random afflictions I have suffered during pregnancy!!

CC I often argued with DH that he didn't speak enough to DS1 (though he wasn't the main carer) and yet this time round, he's got much better at talking nonsense and I've clammed up a bit. Maybe this means you should have another one?!

IC Afraid with our night-time issues, I can't really advise re sleep at al!! However, I've always felt that for me, as a routine-loving type of girl, that persevering with them to get what you want them to do is a good investment in the long run. DS1 still has two hours kip after lunch now. This nearly came to an end when a) he learnt to stand in the cot (2 weeks of PUPD) and b) when we moved him into his bed (and a near nervous breakdown on my part after two weeks of PD again!!)

Going to a wildlife park tomorrow with my brother and his girlfriend. I know they are contemplating TTC and wonder if I might put them off. I don't generally enjoy such trips with 2 DSs without DH yet and will have to try to seem calm, competant and serene. Could be a tall order... And then have to try and control DS1's tantrums when I tell him he can only go on the train twice!!

Morning everyone. It is cold, grey and windy here today, and I was freezing in bed last night in the thin summer duvet. Summer's really over isn't it .

I was woken at 1am (after DD had fed at 11.30pm so a little unusual), she was crying, when I picked her up she was sopping, I realised why when I came to change her... DP had forgotten to put the outer wrap over the nappy!! My poor DD, she had to endure a full outfit change and she wailed the whole way through, I felt like crying for her. Her mattress was wet so she slept with us for the night, mind you she does most nights anyway after the first feed, I just can't be bothered to get out of bed to put her back any more .

CC why no more DCs? Why are you worried about co-sleeping?

BG how old is your DD2?! She's really saying words?! Just - wow.

mama hope your DD's tooth is ok.

bethy I hate spiders too. One more thing to try not to pass on to DD (along with my hatred of cheese ). I hope your trip to the wildlife park goes well. Perhaps it's good for them to see what it is really like at the childcare coalface! Although they will probably do what all childless folk do (and I did ) and think, mine won't be like that...! Hah!

watercress my lenses still feel uncomfortable. I'm trying to force myself to wear them daily so that I can wear them all day at my wedding, without being in agony. Only 2.5 weeks to go. I'm getting scared now. Not cold feet, just.... I'm getting married, it's so huge!!!

Had my appt this morning to have the mirena coil fitted... so far so good and keeping my fingers crossed it works and as a nice side effect stops or at least reduces my periods.

This morning I lay in bed and enjoyed listening to two sweet girls calling for Mama. (Hang on, that sounds wrong... I did of course get up but just for a moment savoured the feeling of being wanted ). It was well after 7 which was an additional treat.

fizi isn't the weather just awful? I also felt cold last night and so did dd1 (who's got the usual start of term snotty nose).

As for dd2 talking, dd1 also started at 7 1/2 months (and when dd1 had her 8 mths check the doc also did a expression when I told him she used about 4 or 5 words). Maybe German baby language is easier? She only says a few things but they are in context eg this morning over breakfast she did the red face pushing thing and then announced 'A-a' (poo).. Well, I guessed that without her telling me .

Just had one of those scenarios you couldn't make up... I picked up dd1 from nursery in the car because it hasn't stopped pouring with rain today. dd2 has quite a nasty cold and when we all got back in the car I wiped her nose, accidentally leaving the tissue close to her carseat. She managed to grab it, tried to eat it and promptly started gagging, then threw up most of her lunch and bottle of milk... dd1 is very sensitive to vomit and promptly joined in. So there's me trying to keep an eye on the road with two vomit covered children in the back with dd1 also howling in terror....
You've got to laugh really.... [Is it too early for a glass of wine?]

CC love that clip of your LO crawling on your blog. How cute is that... . dd2 is still incredibly frustrated by not getting around as she would like. She does everything right except leaning forward to get enough momentum..

BG it's never too early for wine (or any alcohol).

We went to the GP today and DS has an otitis (ear infection) and is starting a new bronchiolitis, so antibiotic is the way to go. I'm now seeing a new GP after the other one a few months ago was not able to see that there was something wrong with DS.

A tooth is starting to appear! His first one

DS do not seem bother to crawl but really enjoy standing up (helped) and doing steps (supported). DS has now discovered that he can roll during his sleep (he's been doing that for months during daytime) as so scream when he realises his on his front... Hopefully he'll get use to it at some point (the sooner the better).

bethy I hope the night went fine for your DS2 and that the visit at the park went well.

As if today could not get more interesting... dd2 just did a projectile vomit over herself, my jeans, a few toys, a pack of baby wipes, her changing mat and the single bed the changing mat is on... Just as well dd1 is in the kitchen with dh so at least it did not set her off. Then when I brushed dd2's teeth she was sick again on her new sleepsuit. Ah well. I think it's mucus from her cold rather than a tummy bug, so just have to pace her drinking I guess. I didn't offer her the rest of the bottle...
GF very much agree but managed to wait for my glass of wine until the pizza was ready (portobello mushrooms and a lot of dolcelatte... hmmm)
As for teeth, LO's third tooth (top right) is very shiny under the gum but not quite cutting through yet.

Grrr, typical - A night of insomnia after saying I was sleeping better! I think I was stressing about DD's 3rd set of imms today. Fingers crossed, she seems fine so far and it was only one injection. Hopefully she won't get a fever this time and we'll both have an okay night [optimistic emoticon]

bc, bless you for your interest! Yes there is more of the novel, so I can send you another bit and welcome. I'm planning radical surgery on the plot later on, but the earlier stuff will probably stay put...
I'm really hoping DD's naps will settle down again soon so I can write a bit more of it... I'm usually too knackered by her bedtime.
So glad you had a reasonable night!! Is he finally settling down??!

Thanks for the blackberry tip, watercress..!

Yes, bethylou, the standing up in the cot trick seems to be a favourite with many babies [cross that bridge when we come to it emoticon...]

Oh, BG, I had to admit I LOLed at your description of the double vomit horror, but with a lot of sympathy. Oh, the romance of parenthood (!) There was a great thread (in Chat, I think so probably doesn't exist anymore) about just that sort of mishap - it was hilarious in a disgusting sort of way...

We got lectured by our pediatrician today for giving DD a vegetarian diet.
"Is she getting any animal protein?" she asked DH.
"Yes," he replied, "Eggs, milk, yoghurt..."
"But is she getting any animal protein?"
"Yes: eggs, milk, yoghurt...."

DD is proving to be a fan of roast veg, tucking into courgette, aubergine, potato, squash and sweet potato with gusto. She did a poo today that smelled strongly of olive oil (!) which is what we roast in (it's cheaper than any other oil here - not surprisingly).

DH did a strange mixture of avocado, egg-yolk and fresh fig for her yesterday, but she loved it. The chick-pea, squash and Greek yoghurt combo also found favour.

I must say, I'm relieved she's now getting enthusiastic about stuff that isn't sweet. Long may it last...