May 2010 - Drooling, smiling, cooing and nearly sleeping through (and that's just the mummies!)

[rachelfruitloop]

Hi Ladies,

I hope you don't mind, I started a new thread as our first one was quite full! I can't believe we're a quarter-way through the first year already!

Hi All

Rachel, I am shamlessly going to use your post as a template to post my replies so I don't miss anyone!

Firstly, the Venture photos were just fantastic. I cried in the preview show - the pictures were just so beautiful, they had an absolutely gorgeous one of DD and DS just looked like a child model. They had really captured his cheekiness! DH just looked gorgeous as well, but that's not difficult for him as he is tall and dark, so the good looking thing just follows from that! I could have spent about £5k easily but managed to restrain myself to a three figure sum - but only with DH's help in pointing out that if I blew all our savings I would have to go back to work! Can't wait for the photo to arrive now, I already have a space cleared for it in my hall!

Heffa - hope DD is feeling better. Often, bumps look a lot worse than they actually are so hopefully she will feel better in the morning.

SK - hang on in there! Repeat the mantra - it is only a phase, it is only a phase...

Pushchairs are fab - mine is a big seat that fits on the same base as the pram did so it can face towards me when I am pushing. I look like a mad woman gabbing away to DD when we power it down to the shops and back.

Poos - DD still only poos once every two or three days. She just has a slower digestive transit or something. I have been making and freezing purees tonight ready to start weaning - she is 20 weeks on Friday so going to get as close to 26 as possible, but want to have something in the freezer just in case she suddenly decides that my milk isn't enough!

Sleeping - still OK here touch wood, just one waking during the night.

HBM - DH's children sound very selfish, how can they not understand the situation at their ages?! I would anticipate that sort of behaviour from much younger children. I'm sure you and Virginia made up for their behaviour.

ML - good luck with the packing, we moved three weeks ago it is a nightmare but once you are in, it is worth it. Do you know where you are moving too yet (I may have missed that post, sorry!)

First - hurrah on the applicator. I remember how terrified I was the first time I used a tampon, so well done. Baby steps. The PGCE course sounds fab, hope you get on it.

Angel - hope everything is getting sorted out. Take care of yourself.

Pamelat - hope your sorted out the ABs!

Pigly and Millington - I hear you on the family front, our families couldn't be more different. My family cannot do enough to help us, always there to listen, will take DS out for the day, look after both of them when I go back to work next May, talk things through without over-advising. MIL and BIL - totally disinterested in DS and DD, haven't asked us anything about the new house, complained when we offered to take the kids to see MIL, but then DH gets complaints that WE don't make enough effort! Really winds me up tbh. Latest example - it was my BIL's partner's bday in July, we sent a cardigan from us and a couple of ties from the kids, cost about £50. My birthday in September - nothing, not even card. I got a facebook message on my Wall. MIL sent a late card and no gift. It isn't the lack of presents that annoys me, it's the fact that if we forgot their birthdays all hell would break loose, but they do nothing for us. So, BIL birthday next week and we have sent a walking map from the kids and nothing from us. We'll see how that goes down. It is the only issue that me and DH really argue about - so annoying!

Potty training - Pigley you DD sounds like my DS. We used a star chart with great success - would that be worth a try?

Mollycuddles - hope your DH's hand is better soon. Well done on the meeting, I would have been so stressed! I have a similar thing when I tell people that I am a Solicitor - either they instantly assume that I am Evil Personified, or they ask me a question about their/their family/their neighbour's situation, or they just nod,smile and back away. I think HVs and MWs think I am just looking for an excuse to sue. Even when I tell them I work with terminally ill people, they still don't trust me. I have stopped telling people what I do now and just say that I am at home at the moment - makes them much more friendly, and then hopefully once they know me they won't be put off by the job title!

IHA - hope everything goes well with Florence's Dad, and that he turns up and pays up!

Rachel - I hope the meeting with Brucie's Mum went as well as could be hoped in the awful situation. FWIW I think you were right to tell your DS1 the truth about what happened - children get confused if you use euphemisms or dodge the question, they are a lot more resilient than we realise as long as you use language they understand. Sorry to hear about the difficulties with your DH, I found that my DH was not "instinctive" with helping with DS but once we sat down and talked and I explained exactly what I needed help with, it sort of gave him the confidence to try to help IYSWIM - he just didn't know what was expected of him, and was terrified of getting it wrong. I hope you can get stuff sorted out soon. And as for DTD - if you aren't ready, you aren't ready. A friend of mine was 15 months before she felt ready again - it all takes time.

Yikes just noticed the time, have to be up in 6 hours for the playgroup run. Does anyone else take 2.5 hours just to do breakfast, get dressed and walk 20 mins to playgroup?!

Just quick update from me then off to bed - my DSis may have pre-eclampsia so she is off for monitoring tomorrow, and really nervous. She is 34 weeks and if it is pre-ec then she will be induced at 38 weeks right in the middle of having a new kitchen fitted! Other than that we are all going fine, in fact life is really good at the moment. Hollyoaks, I think it was you who said you were just enjoying yourself at the moment - same here and it's fab!

Love to you all and to anyone I have missed!

TTx

Hello everyone!

Tomlin - photos sound lovely. Think I'm going to look into having some professional pics taken too, will be such a nice keepsake.

Rachel - nice to hear from you! And so glad for you the bleeding has finally stopped, hopefully I wont be too far behind. Had my mirena inserted 6 weeks ago. It's boring isnt it!

Molly - hope your DH's hand is ok. And be proud of your job, you've given me lots of helpful advice :)

Pigley - congrats on bein an auntie!

Has anyone heard from Newmomma? Worried about her, hope she's doing okay.

HV just came - last visit thank God. Chloe is 14lb 8oz at 18 weeks and 68cm!! 50th/98th centiles. I'm a short arse at 5'4 so she has so not got that from me!

Have just bought a pushchair from mothercare. Cath Kidston maclaren I love it! but HV just flatly said "no she's too young". Hmm will see. Chloe clearly wants to look around and is getting bored just lying in her pram. Will wait a month I think.

Sorry for no more personals. Am starvingx

hi all,
heffa how is dds bump today?

rachel, hope the meeting went ok with your friend.
it is hard to talk about dying to little ones, when my dd3 was 4 my dad got sick with a rare disease, treatment caused cancer, i found out there was little to no hope of him pulling through and got very upset, i thought the children were all in bed i was wrong and dd3 had overheard me as she was coming downstairs, i had to explain about dying and sickness then, she seemed to understand then when we went to visit my dad in hospital she told him she didnt want him to die, it was so heartbreaking but you know, i feel that in their innocence they help us to come to terms with things that we'd rather pretend to ignore, my dad died on the same day as her guinea pig died, guess which got a mention in school next day
as for dtd, when you are ready! you have a whole lifetime together, a few more weeks or even months wont hurt him, doing it before you are ready could cause resentment.

Hello all.

Well I saw my new baby Niece on Sun. Shes so cute and made me feel very broody.. Where did my little baby go!
We left the girls at the Inlaws whilst we went to the hospital to see her. It was the first time I have left Lucy with anyone but DH so was abit teary but we were only gone an hour or so.

Hollyaoks- How did the show go?

Molly- Ouch for DH's hand. Hope it heals soon.

Heffa- :( on the night terrors. My DD can often be heard moaning in her sleep so wonder if she is being distrubed by her dreams too.
Hope DD is ok now and her bump is subsiding. Ive seen some right corkers in my years as Nursery nurse.

Cupcake- Lucy is another one with soaking clothes from dribbling/drooling. We never had that with DD1 so have had to buy more bibs!

MIllington- both sets of parents on holiday so like my idea of Hell!! Both mums are rather competitive and it would surely end in a huge row!
Glad the sickness has improved abit.

Homebirth- Such a shame about DH's kids. They are old enough to know better! Hope he enoyed his day with you regardless! :)

ML- Good luck for the move on Friday.

Rachel- Glad you have acknowledged your need for DH's help.
Try and suggest that he does little things to start with. Can he read DS a bedtime story or play footy in the garden with him whilst you do something. Start small and work up so he doesnt feel like hes suddenly being pounced on.
Thankfully DH is great and does almost take over DD1 when he gets in every night.
Dont worry about DTD. We have got that far yet either, too tired and doesnt seem right with Lucy still in our room. Plus the pyshical side of things has dropped considerately...DH tells me he loves me but Im lucky to even get a hug now. :(

Tomlin- Hope your Dsis is ok.

Potty training here has taken a huge turn. Last Tuesday I was ready to give up but decided to give it a few more days. We actually had a few sucesses towards the end of the week with both wee's and poo's. At the weekend she just seemed to get it! We havent had any accidents for days! She now asks to go and does it no problem. Yesterday morning I though we'd attempt Toddler group in knickers and before we left I was getting spare clothes ready upstairs. Came down and she had taken herself off to the potty and done a wee all off her own back. So proud!
Even managed a trip round Tescos this morning nappyless too.
Cant beleive shes got it so quicky.. Only been doing it 2 weeks tomorrow. :)

Lucy has her 4mth check today. Not worried about anything though. Shes sitting up really well and turning into a right little podge now!

Not been around for a few days so have a lot to catch up on...

ML glad you managed to find somewhere else so quickly and really hope that the move goes well

Angel to hear that things are still not going too well for you; don't know many details but hope that the police involvement you talk about solves any problems that may be going on.

itshappened hope Florence's dad turns up and that this can be the beginning of them maybe having a relationship.

Wltk and rachel know what you mean about being treated a bit differently; I lived in both the US and France and was treated strangely in both places - particularly in the US as I was in deepest Wisconsin and to have a Brit living there was a source of great interest to them! Fortunately I was single at the time so didn't have to interact with as many services as I do now...

Also rachel I sympathise totally with the DH issues. I love mine dearly and he is a great dad but trying to get him to do more is like trying to pull teeth. Every so often I have a complete melt down and he'll buck his ideas up for a couple of days. I've now got to the stage of listing the jobs that need doing and letting him pick one. I feel bad in a lot of ways as I know he has to go to work and I hate nagging him when he gets home, but he really does take the mickey sometimes...

Very excited here as we have just booked a short break at Centerparcs in November. I never thought that I would get so excited about this sort of trip (this time last year we were gearing up to 3 weeks in New Zealand so this is quite a different type of trip for us!) but I am really really looking forward to it now as we could do with a break.

Hope everyone is well....

hi all
maaaaaaaajor cold for oscar today, complete with visit to the doctors... nothing to worry about though, i think she was more worried about me coping with seeing my lo under the weather.

rachel, nice to hear you back!, i think you hv is partly right, sometimes dads need to be told especifically what you need, my dh has the balance right, if he thinks he is helping and i am still a bit cranky he ask: what you want me to do now?, sometimes his mind reading skills aren't up to it...

haven't tried the push chair yet, mine has the basket that can be folded so he can be sitting up, for 5 or 6 weeks now,...

poo is just changing, he used to do it every two or three days, but is been daily for a week or so...

ml how is the moving going? are you settled? hope is worth it when you are.

angel thinking of you, you know, whatever you need...

tomlin what is with people and proffesions, people have a private life, don't work 24/7,... send our love to your sis, hopefully she'll be fine

dtd, well whenever you are ready ladies, slowly but surely... we are a bit unsure yet, well meanly me, but still intimacy is the important thing.

timeschedules, it takes longer than 2 hours to get breakfast and both dressed, then about 40 min to walk to the city centre, and the other day i managed to be late for the health clinic, that last two hours!

i am thinking of proffesional pics too, maybe pigley...

first is that the same hv that said that chloe was too small, congrats in the fabulous kid, and they are ready for the pushchair when they can sit without falling to the side glad you're ok

how to explain death to little ones? our grandmother died when the kids were 4 and 1.5, we just told them the truth, she was very old and had to go to heaven, they saw us cry and we explained it is cos we are very sad and don't want her to go, it was heartbreaking see the little one hold her hand and tell her everything would be alright...

why people find fascinating that you were born in a different place? i have a friend who is american and we love to go for coffee just us with the kids, cos it's like normal

wow, massive post, you can tell oscar has been asleep for an hour, after bottle and carprufen... poor mite.

got a call from my friend yesterday, she is worried about me and i was worried about her... we'll definetely meet up after her wedding.

right, better go do something useful...

Rachel - sorry you're struggling :( Your HV sounds very sensible! Have you talked to DH about all of this? DH and I realised once (after huge fight about doing stuff) that I wouldn't need to nag him if he was happy to get on with things when asked and if I was prepared to be flexible about when something needed doing. Doesn't always work in practice though! I hope meeting up with your friend goes OK :( It must be so hard, I've been thinking of Brucie's family lots.

Tomlin - hope your DSis is OK, why do they suspect pre-eclampsia?

First1 - yay for last HV visit! DD wanted to be sitting up in her pram from about 4 months so I used to prop her up with a cushion (made sure she couldn't fall out). Then we transferred her to buggy at about 5 months I think. Good that Chloe's growing well :)

Pigley - I'm feeling broody at the thought of a tiny little newborn too! Glad you enjoyed cuddles with baby niece :)

Carikube - Centerparcs sounds fab, I want to go sometime. Figure we have time for more exotic holidays when DCs grown up!

Thanks all for asking about DD's bump, she has a gorgeous black eye today, looks like an NSPCC ad. Dark purple and blue, very impressive. She seems absolutely fine and unbothered by it so that's good!

Hey all! :)

ML hope move goes well & new house brings positive vibes to you

WLTK - hope meeting your friend goes well. Good luck with the dentist - i bit the bullet and went for the first time in 10 years i found telling them how nervous i was helped - if i can do it anyone can :) also glad you also have lie ins til after 9 - i was feeling guilty!

Molly - hope DHs hand ok

Heffa - night terrors sound horrible. LOL about your DH and the plat of water tho!! Hope DD ok and that you eventually got your dinner!

cupcake - have a great hol :)

Millington - not started weaning yet. HV recommended hanging off as long as poss as DP has lots of allergies. I'm happy to too as a bit nervous incase Rian has alleries too.

Rachel - meeting with boss unproductive so still none the wiser about work, my othe rboss is encouraging me to take some parental leave once mat leave finishes as well as my holidays i have left - might do that to prolong it a little :) Poor brucies parents, hope your visit goes well, maybe a good distraction having the kids there? Sorry you're feeling a bit down. I too have to basically direct my other half to do everything baby related - unfortunately it may just be a bloke thing. Re DTD maybe you don't feel like it because you're so exhausted??

Pigley - congrats on being an aunty!!

Homebirth - that really sucks about DHs family suppose you have to look at it that its them thats missing out on virginia

Sorry if i've missed anyone.

All ticking along here.

Random question but does any of your LOs have really cold clammy feet? Rian has all the time to the point his feet are wet rest of him ok.

Been feeling abit fragile lately not sure whats going on. Dont want to freak anyone out but a friend of a friends 16 month old died of cot death recently and since i heard i've been a nervous reck to the point i feel physicaly sick, even if there are sad kids stuff on the TV i cant bare to watch it. Also had a heart to heart with my dad who confessed that he is worried about dying young (his dad and uncle died at young ages) and doesn't want to miss Rian growing up - he assures me there is nothing going on with him to make him think like this. All of these things have freaked me out abit and finding it abit overwhelming.

Sorry for posting the above - don't want to bring thread down, but dont feel i can discuss any of this with anyone in RL

Den26 - sorry you're a bit overwhelmed. FWIW, I'm always a complete wreck about cot death and LOs dying. Every time they go to sleep I'm worried. Neither DH or I watch the news anymore because we get so upset about unpleasant stores and I'm really careful what films I watch/books I read etc. I've spoken to my mum and sister about it and we've all felt like that so I'm pretty sure it's normal. Apparently it's quite common to think you're going to die early as well, there was a thread on here about it not long ago.

I think if you're feeling very anxious and nervous, it can be a sign of PND so if you're worried that it's taking over your life, you can always go to your GP/HV.

So sorry about your friend's LO :(

Corin's feet are often cold and clammy, although not really wet as such. He always kicks off his socks so not much use, will start putting him in tights under his trousers when it's a bit colder.

Lost another 7lbs today! Very chuffed :)

Hey Heffa - well done on weight loss :)

Thanks - was worrying it was a bit more than just anxiety but helps to know that these are normal feelings. Will keep an eye on it

:)

den i cant even bring myself to type the words, yes i worry about it too and as a result i dont mind the 3+ night feeds too much. your poor friends, they must be in pieces.
saw hv today, she has no issue with virginias weight (although not weighed for 5 weeks) as she "can see she is obviously healthy" and is going to talk to the staff who upset me last time as she is not happy that they suggested weaning.
really enjoying mummyhood at the mo, virginia is singing and starting to laugh and i am really getting to know her and what all her little noises and movements mean, she is lovely. how is everyone else getting on now?
ml i doubt you will read this tonight but hope the move goes well tomorrow

hi all
today is me with the mayor cold, oh dear, at least oscar is improving, quite a bit actually
note to self: study medicine...as a tool in motherhood

den we all worry about it, we are very proud that we stop getting up at night to check that he is still alive, so sorry for your friends, i can't imagine anything worse...

heffa so envious of your weight loss, i don't seem able to do it, i guess the continental chocolate biscuits of this afternoon didn't help... before you judge, remember, i'm sick...

home good on you and virginia, putting those hvs right,
ml wishing you a good move and a wonderful new home.

molly how are you guys coping? my mil broke her wrist 2 years ago, and she nearly killed dil (due to watching him do the housework, he kinda have the 'that's not necessary attitude', apply to hoovering, laundry, whatever he did not feel like doing)...
we think she wants to come visit but revolts at the idea of dil running the house without supervision...

we are doing fine here, we also discovering communication, knowing what the little noices mean, dh has found a shout that he says means MUUUUMMY... not daddy, no. it's kinda fun having a cold together,...all day playing in pijamas...

hope you all have a good night...and i didn't forget anyone.

Just a quick one tonight Ladies

Den that's just horrible, but I think we all have that worry in some form. TBH it's why I ended up getting the Angelcare baby monitor, because it has the breathing sensor pad as well so I know an alarm will sound if he stops breathing. Otherwise I'd be up several times just to check if he's breathing.

Sorry things weren't more definite for you with your work meeting. I'm also still waiting to hear what job I will be going back to when my leave finishes, it's nerve-wracking!

First I know my Maclaren (Techno XT) says it's suitable from birth, and I did use it from birth for my DS1. Granted, he was a large baby, but only 9 lbs 12 oz and he was fine in it. I'm sure Chloe will be fine in yours as long as the straps are secure and it can be reclined as well. BTW about the Cath Kidston style!

Heffa well done on the weight loss!!!

HBMummy I sort of wish I was enjoying it more at this stage, but I think things are feeling easier now so I'm sure it will come. I love that Eric's personality is really coming to the fore now, too!

ML good luck, I'll be sending good thoughts your way for a smooth move!

WLTK hope you and Oscar get well soon!

Pigley that's lovely you got to see the baby and that Lucy (and you) did well being apart for the first time! Oddly, holding my best mate's baby is also making me feel very broody, though I still feel a bit overwhelmed by the 2 so definitely will absolutely not consider a third!

I am really glad that I'm not the only one having help and DTD issues with DH! I've had a couple of chats with him over the last couple of days and I think that is helping move things along in both departments. We shall see what happens.

I've had a nice birthday today! I woke up to presents, cards and chocolates! DH took me and the boys out for a nice cooked breakfast and then had some friends over to play with DS1 and we all had chocolate cake.

Eric has started grabbing food off my dinner plate and putting it into his mouth - last night a pizza crust, tonight - mashed potatoes! I think he might be ready...

Gah, we found out our boiler is broken yesterday. It's still working (apparently it's a mystery as to how) and now we need to replace it which is going to cost a bomb because it's in a really stupid place in the house. Argh!

Homebirthmummy - glad Virginia's doing well and you're enjoying it :)

Rachel - good to know you've had a good birthday! Sounds fab, and looks like Eric might be ready for food.

Just marking my place as I've lost the thread again! No real time for personals as need to make dinner and fairy cakes :)

Grce is 12lb 7oz and rocketing up the charts, well above the 25th centile now.

Den - my thoughts are with your poor friends. I find my anxiety levels really increase dramatically when something tragic like that happens. I had some counselling during my pg about dn's death as it was becoming debilitating. To some extent it's normal, but if it continues then get some help from your gp and lots of talking to your dh. Bottling the feelings makes it worse.

Angel - still hoping your ok. :)

ML - just read your fb status, hope everything is ok and please vent on here if you need to.

Hope everyone else enjoys their day. :)

Hello all. Just popping my head back round the door.

Yes the police involvement was regarding that woman who assaulted me. She started shouting at me for no reason and I was scared so I thought I would turn to the police sooner rather than later as I was worried she might turn violent again She's had a warning for harrassment. Up to now, she has kept her distance from me....for now.....

things with DH very up and down. When we have a good day it's great, but the bad days are creeping back... I had 2 nights with no sleep and feeling ill with a bug but did he help? No. The more I think about it all, the more i wonder if it will actually ever work.....

DD3 has been awful lately, crying a lot. Had her jabs on wed and today has a temp and been sick a few times. She is 18 weeks today.

den so sorry for your friends

heffa thats a nightmare about your boiler, i hope its sorted quickly and in time for the cold weather. Well done on the weight loss too.

rachel glad you had a nice birthday

carikube hope you enjoy centerparcs

wltk hope you are both better soon x

pigley well done on the potty training

first1 i am jealous about your buggy, I love that one!! I am having to sell my silver cross pram as its too heavy for my damaged wrist Gutted

Sorry for anyone I've missed, trying my best. Although that doesn't feel good enough at the moment

Carikube- Yay on the holiday. I felt the same about visiting Butlins for the first time but DD1 had an absolute ball and we all enjoyed ourselves. Its funny how the holidays change to being Kids holidays isnt it... Happy kids = Happy Parents.

WLTK- Hope Oscar gets better soon. I think Lucy has abit of a cough :(
Do shout if you want some pics Id be happy to :)
RE born in different place- I was born in New Zealand.

Den- Awful news about your friend. You dont associate that with a 16mth old do you, you just think of little babies. How :(
I think its understandable to be nervous about it. Sometimes the reality of life and death can be abit freaky.

Heffa- Lucy has started to pull her socks of too. A friend has told me about [[http://www.mothercare.com/Sock-Ons-Unisex-2pk/dp/B003P3CP20/sr=1-3/qid=1285944347/ref=sr_1_3/275-3585745-4293329?_encoding=UTF8&m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&n=42764041&mcb=core these] but havent bought any yet so cant vouch for them.
Well done you on the weight loss!!
We had our boiler replaced last year and it cost about 3.5 grand.

Homebirth- Glad you saw a better HV this time.
I was saying the DH last night about HV's and thier recommendations. When I had Lucy's check she suggested putting Lucy in her own room as she was waking at night but the recommendation is in your room till 6mths. I know its not always practical but seemed odd her suggesting when she should be promoting the guidelines.

Rachel- Glad you had a nice birthday :)

Angel- Hope that woman stays away!
Sorry things are getting on top of you. Feel free to offload here :)

ML- Hope everythings ok and its just the stress of the move causing problems :(

Spent this morning at a new soft play place in town. Its fab! DD1 and her friends loved it!
3 hours solid of running/climbing like looneys.. I even had a play whilst Lucy slept :) Big kid!
Typically DD1 had a major tantrum when leaving but I was expecting that as she was tired and didnt want to leave. I looked a complete Harrased mother with Lucy in her carseat on one arm and DD1 scooped up under the arm, kicking and screaming whilst its hammering down with rain! Dont you love toddlers! :)

Im so sorry this is a me post..as of today Im a single laydy..DH no longer wishes to be married..well to me anyway..

theres a long history

DH suffers from depression..back in 2004..our problems started when I had a stroke after DD was born..DH couldnt cope and re treated into himself as I recovered..I fell pregnant twice losing both b abies at late stages..DH completed re trested into himself so that when he was offered a new job up here..we thought it would be a new start but instead it drove a wedge between us..I fell ill with pnuemonia and DH refused to take me to hospital so I actually nearly died..he then took the job up here and essentially left me..

I moved up here as this is where Im from and DH and I re built our marriage, things were much better and we decided to TTC..Olivia was the result..I thought we were rock solid..but I think the house moves..have sent him into a depression again..weve barely communicated for weeks..then I discovered he has been weight lifting and taking protein shakes..I challenged him asking him if he was having an affair last night..he denied it and slept in DS 1's room..

this morning he informed me our marriage is over

ml you kow where i am if you need me x x x

ml, i know you have lived with his depression for a while so totally ignore if you wish. i had a spell of deprssion last year, from march until i found out i was pregnant actually, took antidepressants had cbt that type of thing. one thing i remember very well was doing my best to push DH away, it wasnt that i didnt want him but that i felt so insecure that i wanted him to prove to me that he loved and wanted me, i didnt recognise it as that at the time though.
i dont know what i can say that will help you i just hope you are ok and have supportive family close by. how are the older kids taking it?

Hollyoaks - fantastic that Grace is doing so well :)

Pigley - we've had two ballpark quotes so far, one for 5k, one for 2.5k. Nightmare. Soft play place sounds fun, I wish we had one in town here.

Angel - glad the police have helped so far, hope DD3 is better soon :)

Memorylapse - saw your status earlier, so sorry for you :( Can't believe what a horrible time you've been having, for you.

ML - I am so sorry, I am really thinking about you. You have had so much to cope with over the last few years, I really hope you have got lots of support around you. You are a lovely person, don't ever forget that. Look after yourself. Big hugs xxxx

I am so sorry I haven't posted for ages and ages. Life has been very busy! Haven't even managed to keep up with reading - but I do think about you all often.
I got a new job last week, which I will be starting in about 2 weeks (as soon as the CRB is through) totally my dream job (Senior SEN Education Officer) can't believe I got it as at the moment my life revolves around cbeebies and babies! Didn't expect to be going back to work so soon and not looking forward to leaving the boys in full time nursery, but I guess that's life.
Thomas is okay, he's had lots of bad colds and now has an inhaler 8 times a day, but is starting to respond well.

I can see by a lot of the recent posts that everyone is going through quite difficult times, especially very sad things that have happened to friends and DH trouble. I am thinking about you all. Take care xxxxxx

Not sure where to start.. I'm back into work mode, grabbing an hour here and there where I can for it and find it difficult to find time to post.

Trying to catch up now though..

Cupcake I hope you're enjoying your holiday now but ftr DS was a frequent pooer. Seven a day at least with an interesting texture, but about 3 weeks ago he started producing a smooth textured one once a week. DH caught (or rather didn't catch) the latest one the other day just as he was going out to work. DS was covered and I had to give him a quick bath.

MoggMum - glad you're still around. Weird isn't it how often the only thing people ask if baby is sleeping through the night.

First1 - PGCE - good call, it will solve all sorts of childcare issues in the future I'm sure. I've been wondering about newmomma too..

Sassles, toy thread on FB not MN. I keep meaning to post but never get around. I'm never very comfortable with FB.

Den - congrats for getting nursery sorted. I've been trying to do that recently and it's doesn't seem to be easy. I want to get three days by May next year and maybe one day after xmas. Good nurseries around here have 2 year waiting lists though Very sorry for your friends btw.

wltk, enjoyed reading about your blackberry surprise. Hope your colds are better. What are you studying?

itshappenedagain, hope dd's dad is realising what he's missing.

Hollyoaks, hope your night out was useful one way or another. Didn't see your roasting but can imagine.. Glad that Grace is thriving now.

Millingtons, I sympathise with the sickness. As soon as I put something clean on me or baby it gets a deposit of sick on it. Get through several bibs a day too.

Heffa - 7lbs is loads of weight to lose - congrats, but hope you're not overdoing it and running yourself down. Glad to hear I'm not the only one living on baked potatoes

Homebirthmummy, horrible that your step children are being so miserable. Taking the moral high ground is totally the way to go with it I think. They're technically adults, but still young enough to be childish and to grow out of it.

Good to hear you're having so much fun with Virginia though. I am mostly really enjoying the company of DS. I feel really blessed to be in his company mostly, but isn't always easy. He's learnt a whole new range of screams which he likes to show off in public. He also gives extended private performances in late afternoon. That seems to be the hardest time of day - keeping him entertained when he winds down at the end of his day while I'm at my tiredest. Really hard to work out sometimes what's up.

Rachel - you are certainly not alone feeling dh doesn't really share childcare much. I knew that was always going to be the deal though really. I'd say I've been discovering what people mean when they say having a newborn puts a strain on relationships. My life has changed so much and his hasn't that much. We had a good old row discussion about it last weekend though and that helped to clear the air a bit.

Tomlin, glad the photos worked well, but it does sound very expensive

Pigley, congrats on your neice and on leaving Lucy for the first time. I haven't managed to leave DS with anyone yet. Impressed lucy can sit up already.

ML - what awful news! And on move day! Are you really sure he won't feel differently when stress of move is over? Timing makes it seems like it could be stress related rather than well though out. Wishing you all the best of luck and hoping things work out!

Angel - good to hear from you. Hope holding on with DH isn't to hard.

Sweetkitty - Where have you gone? We need you!

I'm sure to have missed something or someone, so apologies.

hi all
mainly me post, but a couple of things i need to respond...

i am studying psycology, 2nd year.
ml, how awful, but as others said, in case of depression we often push apart those who we love the most...
pigley will start negotiations with dh about pics

oscar is a lot better only a bit of a cought, but i have a chest infection, so steroyds and antibiotics for me and bedrest, i hate bedrest...yesterday i felt so poorly that dh had to come home to take me to the docs and take care of oscar... couple of weeks i'll be fine, it's just the asthma playing up again.

ML - How awful for you. I don't know much about depression but a lot of the above sounds like great advice. I'm going through a rather painful divorce at the moment so can 100% sympathise with your predicament. I'm more than happy to give you my email/number if you fancy a chat x

Moses basket to cot transfer...HELP!! Advice please. Chloe has to move out her basket now it's ridiculous she's practically the length of the mattress but no amount of trying is helping. I've done everything I can think of: basket in the cot, putting her in there asleep, leaving her to cry (royally HATE doing that but appreciate the value in it), pick up put down method. Tips please!! She looks like the giant baby in her moses basket but a tiny dot lost in her cot!