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

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Where did the last half a year go??!

bc he looks very cheeky!!

Fiz I too am sorry to hear about your DH's exam - though I am always impressed by anyone who commits to study beyond the age of 21. I just don't have the application myself. In answer to your question about R&R with a hangover, it was surprisingly ok. Singing nursery songs was just about at my level though some of the standing up and throwing your baby about ones (Zoom, Grand Old Duke of York, Hokey Cokey) were a bit testing and I had to pretend DD was tired so I didn't join in as much. I'm out on the lash again tonight but luckily DP will be primary care-giver tomorrow so I can not worry about sorting DD out.

mamaloco our LOs' sleep/nap patterns are very similar. Mine's a brilliant night sleeper (7 to 7/8) but naps are random. This is in part because of the different times of the groups/drop-ins etc I go to each day. Similarly I let her have a little cry if I can see she's tired and lay her down for a nap. One time this went a bit wrong when after breakfast I missed her tired signals and turned round (after hearing her crying a bit) to find her slumped asleep with her head on the high chair tray. Oops!

CC aw, your LO's bruises. Bless. My DD is currently causing more bruises than getting them because she has a habit of throwing her head back hard when I am bouncing her on my lap and cracking my eye orbital bone with the back of her head.

BC I have very similar issues with my DH. In my head I keep a list of small things I need him to do/change etc and only let them out one at a time - but the pressure of knowing there's all these other things he needs to sort nearly drives me mad. Your DS is gorgeous- what a lovely pic.

I have to say that one of my best buy for DS, at the moment, is his baby walker. He loves it and gives me a rest!

fizi every thing will be okay and once the exam is done again, you'll be able to enjoy a well deserved rest, even if it's just a night away at the weekend without your LO.

BC glad that you sorted things with your DH

mamaloco, you don't come across as smug at all - just very exotic!!

bc - gorgeous DS!! Good news on the email, glad it was well-received..

Naps... at the moment I feed DD then pop her in the pram in her new room (gently detaching her once she's in) for her two morning naps which are between 25 and 40 mins, depending. Then off we go on the pram mission for a longer one (1.5hours, more or less) in the afternoon. I try and make sure she doesn't sleep later than 16.30 at the latest, and her bedtime is around 19.00-19.30.

This afternoon DH is on long-nap pram duty so I'm on the sofa about to eat chocolate and read my book for a bit. Luxury!

stoof - ouch, get well soon x

I think we all could do with some (well I know I do)

Good luck with today's baby antics

Aargh! Rant alert:

We are due to go on holidays on Sunday and the ferry company has 2 ferries with technical problems and had to reschedule the ferry! We were booked on a 2pm departure to Weymouth, arrival at 5pm. Now we are leaving at 8pm, and arriving in Poole at 11pm. We had to rebook our hotel.

Where I'm stressed is with DS as he'll probably fall asleep on the ferry (hopefully) then woke up to go on the car seat, then sleep, then awake when we get in the hotel and I hope he'll fall asleep again once in the room. If not, it'll be a long night.

Thanks CC for the coffee, right now I'm drinking a beer after all it Friday night!

Evening all. Have been catching up for the last hour after spending a blissful week in Cornwall. The weather was great and we: bodyboarded; swam daily; did soft play daily; cycled 10 miles; walked some steep(ish) stuff-tho not in CC's league me thinks; fed farm animals; DS1 had pony rides etc.. Truly fabulous and very restorative, which, as you know, was what was required. Would highly recommend Tredethick farm cottages to anyonewith toddlers. Have decided that I am not in PND territory at the mo (and DH agrees) as we think I am just dealing with some stressful situations. Have felt tremendous all week, and fine today, despite the 6 hours of travelling.

Disappointingly, DS2 and I have had awful conjunctivitis wile we were away (so I'm not in the photos!!) and DS1 is now in bed shivering with a temp of 39 degrees again so it looks like my luck hasn't entirely changed. Guess I just have to plan in some breaks/things to look forward to etc.. Our family has also really stepped up to the mark since I finally admitted that I was struggling with our current situation and were great while we were away (even if MIL did make me cry within 5 mins of her arrival - a record even for her, but rather proved my point about being at the end of my tether!!)

Now, a memory test. Responses to what I've just read:
Stoof sorry about the boils - keep seeking treatment.

Fizi wedding planning without a baby was very stressful. Can' imagine doing it now. Sorry about your husband to be missing his grade too. Eat chocolate and get out in the sunshine to help you feel better.

CC Congrats to your LO. Your feelings sound very similar to mine (and I hope, normal!) DS2 has decided to try and stand this week and has just about mastered crawling.

Stangirl Hi and welcome! I think a lot of these February babies are really advanced (or my DS1 was really slow (until he walked at 11 months and then talked in full sentences at 18 months!)) As a teacher, I would say that our DCs will all do things at their own rates, in fits and starts, and the best thing to do is to always be encouraging and to try not to compare with others but to enjoy this special time as much as poss.

IC Happy belated birthday. Hope it was lovely. I'm from Gloucestershire and now in Warwickshire for DH's work. He comes from Lincolnshire which means that DS1 has some really odd intonation/vocab in his speech as he is picking up DH's accent etc.. Even I'm starting to sound like I come from there! However, I prefer this to the Brummie accent which might be an alternative as we're quite close to Brum (and would be happy to meet at Christmas CC if it all fits in).

I'm afraid I can't recall any more inidividual bits tonight (and haven't had time to admire blogs/pics etc.. whilst fitting in Mothercare, to replace the change mat we left in Cornwall, and medicating DS1!) I've missed you this week and hope you and the LOs are all well again soon. DS2 was so poorly with teeth/cold/vomiting last week that I really feel for those of you dealing with it now.

For those of you who thought that your LO didn't sleep well for the last 2 nights (I'm one of those), it may be because we have little werwolves! It is full moon at the present and it always affects DS's sleep.

WElcome back bethy glad that the holidays were what you needed and sorry to hear that the health problem are still with your DSs. Have you found the reason for your fluttering? (I know I'm too curious )

Thanks for the coffee, CC!

Welcome back, bethylou! Glad you had a restorative holiday, even if you had red itchy eyes to cope with and came back to a lergy. Good for you for admitting to your family you need more support. Most people willingly step up to the plate when called, but rarely offer because they either don't realise you need help or worry they might be interfering or patronising to offer it.
Gloucestershire, eh? DH's family is from the Cotswolds - Cirencester area mainly. We are often there during the summer holiday.
Where in Cornwall, were you? That's my manor! Glad the weather was good for you.

Ah, GF, how frustrating! I hope the holiday travels go smoothly. My DD has tended to surprise me by being a generally fairly good traveller, hope your DS will be the same.

Poor DD has a cold, although it's not a really heavy one, thankfully - no need for the snotsucker.
However, she was very unsettled at bedtime last night, which is unusual. We had to resettle her 4 times before she went off, probably because of her cold. She also woke up once more than usual and took longer to get back after the 03.00 wake-up - snuffling, coughing and sneezing, bless her. In the end, she didn't wake up for the day until 07.45, she must have been worn out by it all.
Anyway, she's remained fairly cheery, so that's okay. Her eating seems all right too, so fingers crossed it'll pass without too much trauma.

It's only her second cold in 8 months, so I figure we've got off fairly lightly...SO FAR...

Tonight is the first night when she's in her own room - but we'll be in there with her. I suspect it won't affect her sleep either way, but will just mean I'll have to pad up and down the corridor a few times every night once we're back in our own bed (which I often do anyway to have a pee, so with any luck it won't affect my own sleep too badly).

We shall see. I'll probably take longer adjusting than she will.

urgh??. i have flu? proper, bloody awful, want to curl up and hope it all goes away flu? only the second time ever :( high temp, can't get warm, sore kidneys, thumping head, lead legs, achy joints? hope to goodness none of the rest of the house get it? urgh

me me me ? sorry? hope to be back soon! x

stoof poor you, take care. Have a hot toddy, that will cure it

IC good luck with the new sleeping arrangements.

Looking forward to hearing how tonight went IC keeping fingers crossed for you

stangirl I'm not over 40 yet but fast approaching being 37 in Nov.

stoof and mamaloco

at the thought of having little werewolves

Now where would be a nice convenient place to host a horde of mothers with (husbands? and) babies who've never met each other before? Anyone with some ideas please shout. Virginia Waters?

Happy Sunday!

Oh no, stoof, that's rubbish - poor you. I hope your DCs and DH are being gentle on you...

DD's first night in her own room (albeit with me and DH on a mattress on the floor) went very well - she woke three times, but resettled herself after a little fidgeting for one of those, so only two feeds between 19.15 and 06.45. Although we were in there too, I'm not sure DD was even aware of us, in which case I'm hoping tonight she'll be similarly mellow without us there.

I must resist the temptation to keep checking on her...

Meanwhile, DD is becoming ever more vocal - lots of "ga-ga-ga...da-da-da...lardle lardle" and today: "ba-ba-ba...ma-ma-ma..." - although nothing in context yet. She's extremely chatty, though.

Love the sound of the meet-up! Wish I could make it....

IC I love the sound of the meeting up. I maybe able to make it depending where it is and the price of the flight [hopeful emocotion]

We're going to Gloustershire today (actually tomorrow because of the ferry). Can't wait to go off the rock!!

Wow IC that's great but am a bit

GF you should have said that was a pic of DS in his baby walker rather than just a generic pic of a walker! He looks really happy in there. He's got beautiful long eyelashes. Was it expensive?

I expect you are on the way to ferry now - hope holiday is lovely.

bethy Conrnwall sounds fabulous. Glad you had a lovely time.

Stoof Get well soon! Have you got anyone to help out?

RW I've never been to Virginia Water but I don't mind going there. I guess the thing to do is sort out a date that those of us in the South East (and Midlands maybe) can do. A Saturday or Sunday in November perhaps? Maybe somewhere like a soft play/Gambados that you can rent for parties for a few parents and babies? ...Or sod it, let's charter a jet and go and visit IC (joke)

IC Well done all of you on night one of own room. It sounds like it went pretty well. Lovely to hear the ma-ma-ma even if it's not directed.

As for us - went to a wedding reception last night. Mum babysat. DS was screaming his head off as we left but mum said he calmed down and he was asleep (but downstairs) when we got home at 10.45. I had 2 glasss of prosecco and a little dance. It was GREAT.

DS slept from midnight to 7.30 with a couple of little wakings but I woke up with him at 4.30 and couldn't get back to sleep at all. At least I got over 4 hours unbroken sleep.

Today we had a go with the Mei Tei that we've had for a few months but DS was too small for last time we tried it. He's a bit heavy for me, even on my back but DH said he was fine on his back so we went for a walk in the local woods - it was really nice and then DS and I had a nap together this afternoon while DH cooked dinner. Lamb chops and new potatoes and salad. It's been a nice day.

DS keeps trying to charm/flirt with the cat but she just scowls at him.

Further to DH's attack of shingles a couple of weeks ago (and he's still suffering), I think DD2 may have chicken pox.

Immediate complications - getting DD1 to and from pre-school, the likelihood of DD1 getting it herself in the next week or so when DH is due to fly to the other side of the world to work for a week.

Aargh.

Sounds like some disasters on here again.. Get well to Stoof and to Watercress's LO (and DH).

IC we were in Tredethick, near Lerryn, near St. Austell. I come from Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and my brother is a detective in Cirencester.

Sounds good on the own room front. We are starting to contemplate doing the same, despite my nerves over the sleep apnoea.

BC glad you got to have a nice night out.

GF enjoy the holiday. Some lovely places in Gloucestershire to visit. And most definitely not pregnant - which is what we hoped! Phew!

p.s. just had time to look at the pics of BC and GF's DSs - very cute! I have no idea how ot show you a pic of my DSs. Can anyone give me a clue or show me where to find out how to do it?

good news bethylou. BC and GF those pics are gorgeous.

bethylou The way I've done it is download picasa from google. When you open it, it copies in all your pictures. If you right click on a picture and click on 'upload to picasa web albums' then go through the options there. Go to view online (will be an option when it's uploaded on the upload manager). You can also view online by selecting we; albums in the top right corner. Then click on the picture. On the right hand grey panel select 'link to this photo'. Then just copy and paste the link on here.

LO is now a proficient sitter upper and has learned to fall on her bum so much less bruises. She has also continued walking along the sofa. h

She's also seemed to have clicked with food (solids) and has drastically increased how much eats.

We went to bbq with the equivalent of the NCT. It was lovely, LO thoroughly enjoyed the other babies and toys and smiled throughout. She was asleep less than 5 mins after leaving. Seeing her enjoy herself and do new stuff makes up for her sleeping even less than normal (she's not been sleeping till 8/9pm and getting up at 5am, though she has been doing an extra long nap around 9am).

feels really nice to be cheerful and have happy news for once

So bearing in mind we've only been weaning proper for 3 weeks. For dinner today LO had 2 heaped table spoons of lentils, nearly half a carrot (quartered) and a whole fig (also quartered). Nobody told me I would be proud of my baby eating food, but I am.

CC congratulation on the food!

watercress sorry about the CP, hope it gets better soon.
To answer your previous post, I am glad I am not in the UK to put DD1 to school I couldn't make head or tail of what I had to do, good luck.

DD1 is better so of to the pead. again to have a certificate so she can go back to school. They won't let her in without.
We had a nice english day yesterday! visit a farm and had a picnic under the rain DD2 loves rabbits and donkeys, DD1 getting lost in the corn field and ducklings.

I would love to visit Madrid! (suprised that nobody mentionned bucharest as a meeting point! [ironic/sarcastic emoticon])

Weel that's the school runs sorted - DD1 has woken up spotty. As have I (I've had chicken pox - how is this fair?). Grr. Off to the doctor soon to confirm.

At least next week with DH will be (hopefully) back to normal - every cloud and all that.

Would love to have a meet-up. How about Godstone Farm as it's on J6 of the M25 so well-located for those of us in the SE of England, there's plenty for the LOs to do, and it's near Gatwick should anyone find a cheap flight and want to come along!

Oh, bad luck with the chicken pox, watercress...I guess they have to have it sooner or later (to avoid shingles - your poor DH) - big bummer you getting it as well, though. Hope you all get through it ASAP without too much angst.

Ha, Madrid for the meet-up - yes!! 'Fraid I can probably only accommodate one family in our flat, though - first come, first served (!)

If it helps with the , CC, last night's first time in own room for DD (minus parents) wasn't an unqualified success - although not a disaster, either.

DD woke up at 22.30, which is early for her nowadays, but fed back to sleep quite quickly. She woke up next at 02.30 and it took over an hour and three attempts to get her resettled. The next awakening was at 06.00 and I wasn't very optimistic that she would go back down, but the unsettled period had obviously left her with a sleep hole she needed to fill, because she nodded off again without too much difficulty and slept until 08.00. So, not brilliant, but not terrible.
My own sleep was pretty cack, as I thought it probably would be. Maternal separation anxiety. I'm assuming I'll get over it as I get used to the change.

Good news with the food, CC!

Glad your DD is better, mamaloco - you'd be welcome to visit anytime! (Accommodating two LOs might be tricky, but we could probably work something out...)