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!

Pamela..please dont feel guilty at all..a happy mum = a happy baby and if you are exhausted and sleep deprived them that doesnt equate a happy mum..
instead of feeling guilty..congratulate yourself on having breastfed this long..that you have given Alex a wonderful start in life and of course you can still continue with a bed time comfort feed which is always nice

first and kate, thinking of you both

pam, don't feel guilty, you bf for over 3 months, you have another child, a friend of mine was in a similar situation, she stopped at 4 months due to toddler, she expressed every night, be consistent and you will get a fair amount within a couple of weeks, she is now planning to the same with no. 3

carikube, my auntie had a baby at 44, dh over 50, gap with dd and ds, 18 and 17 years, preg was a bit harder but best thing she ever done, she says she wishes she had this wishdom and the energy of when she felt preg the first two times at twenty something, they are both very happy.
i have a very crying baby today, don't know why:(

yeeeeeeeeeeeei!!!!!!!!!!
baby is asleep, i am going to put my feet up see how long it last.

DD1 is in nursery and DD2 has just had a 3 hour (!!!) nap so have got loads done...all the beds made, nappies washed, more washing on now, biscuits made for tomorrow's tea group (garibaldis and ginger nuts - mmm!), done some exercise on the Wii Fit. Just fed DD2 and will now feed myself...

homebirth we sound very similar - I'm 37 now and DH is 48. As I'll have been on mat leave for over 2 years by the time I'm due back I think I would need to stay working for a good couple of years before taking another extended break. My employers have been very patient with me so far but I don't think that they were terribly impressed with me for taking back-to-back mat leaves so I don't really want to screw things up with them if I do go back. On the other hand, I'm enjoying being at home with the girls so don't know if I'd be capable of going back.

Also I think being a parent is finally hitting DH - he's lived on his own until he was 45 and although he adjusted pretty well to me moving in, he's now really feeling how his life has changed now that we can't just do things like pop to the pub in time for last orders etc. When we just had DD1 we could pack her up and take her with us but now we have 2 (and DD1 isn't happy sitting still any more) we are a bit more restricted in what we do so I don't know how he'd cope with 3 (unless it's just that our lives are completely over now anyway so we may just as well have 3 as 2 )

Hi all. I think I've finally got a chance to catch up properly. DD1 watching Cbeebies for half an hour and dd2 is playing on her play gym and nearly rolling over.

Been on formula top-ups after each feed since Friday and so far so good. She's done two massive poos today (her first since Wednesday) which has been a huge relief and will be weighed tomorrow. We've all got our fingers crossed that she's gained something this week. The only downside is that she now wakes at 4am for a bf and then co-sleeps after that. I thought that may have boosted my supply but my boobs barely feel full now.

Question - someone mentioned their boobs hurting like the early days, I think it may have been Molly, I've found that my left boob really hurts when she latches on and tends to be sore throughout the feed. It's really quite painful but I have no idea why. Any ideas anyone?

WLTK - I don't think we'll get back to ebf now, she's so much more settled with the formula and it gives me a chance to spend time with dd1. Plus I'm going back to work in November so there doesn't seem to be much point. I would hope to keep up the morning and bedtime feeds though.

Cupcake - thanks for the reassurance, I think I've come to terms with the formula now and know that it's in Grace's best interest. I'm a massive BB fan, glad John James went out and I'm pretty sure Josie will win. Looking forward to ultimate BB on Tuesday.

Pamelat - I think I'm missing signals too and seem to end up with at least one of them screaming most of the day. Getting them both settled/entertained at the same time is a fine art. DD1 is being very defiant atm and the spot isn't as effective as it once was. I'm a bit lost as to where to go next as my teacher voice isn't very effective either but too busy to give her the one to one she needs. It's hard work isn't it. I think I'm going to start weaning Grace too for similar reasons as you and as she's not gaining enough weight, why we feel we need to justify ourselves I'll never know.

Molly - we have loads of Come Outside and Bits and Bobs Sky +ed, there a life saver. :)

Den - it's great to be able to stay in with them on the ward but try to take as many home comforts as possible and entertainment as there's not much to do. The beds don't tend to be too comfortable either so an extra pillow might be useful.

Ithappened - hope you enjoyed your break, did you speak to the neighbours?

Angel - hope dd3 is ok and her appointments go well, hope it's not chicken pox.

first1 - pleased your op went well and you've got loads of help. Take it easy and hope you heal soon. :)

Kateyjane - thinking of you, hope your mums ok.

Molly - hope you managed to get some quality time together on your anniversary, well done on the bf. :)

Carikube - at the 3hr nap, my house is a bomb site atm, can't seem to get a substantial break from dd's to get anything productive done.

Phew, finished with only one potty break :o, oh and forgot to mention Grace has a tooth at the bottom, a tiny triangle has just popped through the gum. Can't say I've noticed it when feeding yet. Hope everyone is having a nice day and the weather is better where you are.

Pamelat - no need to justify yourself, sounds like the right decision for you. It's fab you've managed for so long when you've been having a hard time. Hope you're OK :)

First1 - hope your recovery is going well.

Carikube - no need to make a decision yet :) There's a 10 year gap between me and my brother, 12 years between me and my sister. All works very well :)

Rough day here, I feel soooooo poorly :( Want to crawl into a cave and curl up. Hopefully will be better tomorrow.

hi everyone sorry not been able to post for ages it would seem trying to keep up with you all just wanted to say

kateyjane - your DH will be fine with the DC and I hope everything is well with your Mum

first1 - hope you recover well

den - thinking of you x

It was my Birthday on saturday thanks for the wishes on FB Sunday afternoon SIL came up and was going to look after the girls whilst DP and I (and Jacob) went for lunch. Jacob refused to feed ALL day over 10 hours, he was doing this high pitched screaming and everytime I tried to latch him he was howling in pain, I phoned NHS24 who told em to take him to A&E and got me all scared about talk about rashes and lights. He fell asleep in the car there, woke up and smiled at the nurse then latched on as if nothing had been wrong. Made us look like mad neurotic parents the wee sausage. He's completely fine now.

Sleep is difficult, up 6 times last night, he is getting worse and I am knackered with lack of sleep.

Will try and get some more personals tomorrow

Indulgent me post/rant alert. Will do personals after. Aaarrrrgggh dd1. She has been spoiled all summer due to jealousy over dd2. She has definitely been milking it. This week we'd arranged a sleepover with one best friend, play date (hate that term) with another and she's away all weekend with another. She stayed with my dm and df last week and was mega indulged. Anyway, yesterday friend due to arrive at 3. Dd1 foul temper all morning - had to tidy room. Assumed she was just over excited butvwhen friend arrived was argumentative and plain nasty. Took them to McDonalds for tea and still seriously grumpy. Vomited in car on way home and then when we got home. Said she wasn't sick. Just car sickness. Could have sent friend home as still quite early but dd1 insisting was fine. They got ready for bed. Dd1 started fight about who was sleeping where. She was sick again. Poor wee friend was trying to be nice but now too late to take her home. Dd1 wanting to sleep with me. Not possible as co-sleeping with Molls but I said she could come in until she was asleep and then we'd move her. We did this. She woke and lay in bed and howled. Stampy feet tantrum. Woke friend. Back in with me for another hour. Admitted she was feeling sick all day. Worst sleepover ever. What will today bring? Friend here until about 2. She is bridesmaid at weekend. Hope now doesn't get sick from same bug.

But apart from that had a good day. Growth spurt is over and nipples recovering. Went to visit neighbour who is 28 weeks with her first and had nice chat. Bought a bumbo seat and tray on eBay as Molls not able to sit up by herself yet but wants to. Sniped in last 7 seconds and got it for £20.

kateyjane - hope all is well with your mum and dh is coping with dcs.

first1 - hope you're recovering well.

hollyoaks - sounds good with Grace. Fingers crossed for weight gain. Think my breasts and nipples been sore due to mad feeding frenzy of 12 week growth spurt and lazy latching from me and Molly. Getting better again here with good old lansinoh and more care with latch. Easier as Molls less frantic.

pamelat - don't feel guilty. We all have different challenges and experiences. Although bf working really well here I sometimes wish I could have a day off or even stop. But dh had asthma as a child and my db was in and out of hospital with asthma until his teens and I still have severe eczema at times so bf really important to us. So far so good as no asthma or eczema in ds or dd1. Feel I need to give Molls the best chance for the same. But if I had a baby feeding like she has been this past week and a toddler (might happen if get my way in about 2 years) I don't know how I could cope.

carikube and homebirthmummy. My dh is 42 and ds is 12, dd1 is 9. Families can work no matter the age gap etc. Dh thinks he's too old but Is besotted with Molls and convinced he wants one more.

wouldliketoknow. Yippee for sleeping baby. I'd like one if those too! Although Molls is improving nap-wise and actually sleeps about half an hour in the day not on someone's lap or chest. Well she's done it twice. If happens today I'll get to the gym.

heffa - hope you feel better soon. Nice to hear big age gaps can work.

ml hope you're doing well.

sweetkitty - hope the screaming has stopped and you has a better night. Happy birthday (sorry bit late) Not sure I've got you as friend on fb as didn't notice a birthday.

newmomma - hope you're about and doing better

Thanks all for anniversary congratulations. Dh made me an amazing dinner - scallops, bacon and cream for starter and fillet steak with pepper sauce for main. He commented that in past I'd have shown him some serious gratitude for a meal like that... But not this time and because he was drinking and Molls still cosleeps every night he even had to sleep on the sofa. Poor dh. Think I owe him one!

Hope for quiet nights and happy days today x

Morning all, it's been an early on here :)

Molly - I think I've got thrush after starting a thread on MN last night. Going to gp today. :(

SK - sorry, I totally missed your birthday on fb. It sounds like a stressful day but I bet the relief when Jacob was ok made your day.

Heffa - hope your feeling better today.

GCSE results day today, will hopefully pop into work to see how the kids have done, providing my kids allow it of course.

sweet- i hope i said congrats on saturday, i am rubbish at keeping up with face book

holly- hope to read grace got some oz on when you weight her

molly, great you are feeling good, and was able to celebbrate aniversary, that dinner sounds fab, i think i am going to get my dh to cook something like that for me, you def owe him one. hope you are manging ok with dd1, i can understand that having a new baby in the family is tough, she'll get better... is good practice for in two years time

pam, how you doing? and how you feeling? please use this to rant if any conflicting feelings about stoping bf, i know what is like i tried to stop 3 times and failed due to guilt, glad now how it turned up, ... hope you are doing ok, you know what is best for your family.

do we know anything from newmomma and angel?

yesterdays nap didn't last very long, but we have improved in night routine, we got him asleep by 10 pm (better than 1 am), and he stil slept till 8.15, successs!

gcse's today, good luck to all!

this is going to be weird.... i was reading a thread, about a woman who describes in detail how her dh raped her in front of her 5 yo girl, and possibly groaming the girl for further abuse, last night she decided to go to her parents with the 2 girls, but she wanted to comfront him about the rape, she is gone quiet, nothing at all, from 8 pm, the thread was saying if we could take legal action as we know of a few crimes now, but decided we don't know any particulars, and mn needs to be a safe heaven if she hadn't post nobody would know, she wouldn't realize how serious this is, she wouldn't leave,... i am worried, and this really got to me ...

Hi ALl, just a quick post - off out for coffee :)

Holly - glad grace doing well, thanks for tips re hospital - hadn't really thought about taking thngs for myself!!

SK - happy belated birthday :)

Molly - sleepover sounds a nightmare :(

Pam - good for you for making a decision :) Do not feel guilty at all, as said previously happy baby = happy mum.

First - hope your ok and recovering well

WLTK - not sure what to say about that thread...

Quick question - does anyone give their little ones anything for constipation? Rian seems to have quite a bit of trouble and looks painful, wont settle.

WLTK - don't know what to say about that thread, I read it too. I think people in those situations often go quiet - I guess it's a big thing to take in and dealing with it must be pretty huge (maybe not time to post on MN). Don't let it get to you too much though. There have been quite a few worrying threads in the past and they're always difficult to read :( Hope you're OK.

Den26 - no idea about the constipation, sorry. I guess a bit of cooled boiled water in a cup might help but not sure if that's a good idea or not.

Mollycuddles - hope today has been OK.

SK - hope Jacob's doing well.

Newmomma and Angel - thinking of you.

Still feeling poorly :( I think C is having a growth spurt as he's feeling loads and seeming quite unsettled. I gave him some Calpol earlier because he looked in pain and he's been happier since. DD is being very sweet and cuddles him when he's crying. She can't say his name properly so calls him Baby Corn.

very quickly, alex down 7pm p 930, 11, 1, 3, 4 and 5am for good - this boy is seriously hubgry!!!!

now on formula can measure volume 6 oz every 2 to 3 hours - is this normal?!!

pam, how much he weight? oscar has 7 oz when he has a bottle only last like 2.5 h, and he must be about 14/15lb i think...

heffa, i think we have a growth spur too, yesterday and today he needed the midday bottle back, also being grumpy all day, saw a lump on the side of the top gum, might be a tooth?

worrying threads: i think i am going to refrain from reading those for a while, i get really worried,...

den, nothing used for constipation here, i put him on a towel, nappy free and tummy massage, normally works for us...

his majesty is demanding attention again despite mobile, rocking bouncer with music when he kicks and hanging toys....

a quick post because Im blubbing my eyes out..

DS got his GCSES..this is the only good thing to come out of today..

crappiest birthday ever..DH left it until the last minute as per usual to get me something..so dashed down to Asda last night..to find he had no money in the bank as its pay day on thursday and we are so stretched there is NO spare money at all..so I got nothing..the kids were really upset that they had no cards for me so DH in desperation raided the swear box for money for cards..by which time I felt like telling him not bother..

then this morning..we discover that despite being assured when we moved in, in Jan that this was a long term let as the house is owned by my DH's employers..the B***s have been plotting all along to sell the place and today DH had to show 3 estate agents round..the kids were even more upset by this stage especially DS who is autistic and is now sat in the corner of the living room with his comfort silk, looking distraught....they have said they will honour our tenancy agreement until it runs out..ojn the 14th December..so yet again, the kids will spend christmas surrounded by packing boxes with no tree etc..Olivias first christmas is going to be spent god knows where as this will be move number 3 in less than 18 months..we simply dont have money for rent up front, deposit etc..we could realistically spend christmas in a travelodege. DH is devastated as these are his employers
Went to see DM today but was so upset just wanted to come home...and now because DH had to spend the day showing no less than 4 estate agents round..he has to work late now to catch up so even my birthday meal he was going to cook has gone out the window

oh memory, hugs, hugs... coming your way....

Oh ML you poor thing . Even not on a birthday thats a lot to deal with. On my birthdays I tend to get hyper emotional anyway, even if its just a friend being unable to come so I would be no good. Bless you. You do seem to get your fair share of rotten luck

WLTK, re feeds. I offer Alex 7 oz but he takes 6. He about 17.5 lbs, "hefty" as described by HV

Feel bit over whelmed today. My days with just Alex are meant to be my easy days and yet today has not felt easy. Know "hard" days coming up and dont feel able to deal with them. Oh and essay due in on friday night and cant find my passport. I am very tempted to go to bed but that wont help with either of those things. Alex gone down early 630pm after a day of rubbish sleeps. Boobs killing from not feeding. Just feel very tired. (Probably due to being up 4 or 5 times in the night!!)

pam, he won't take more than he needs, so it's all right then, and if you aren't planning to express for a while, don't be tempted, remember this will only last a few days after that you'll be back to normal.

Oh ml. You poor soul. I know there is nothing I can say that will make it all go away but I am thinking of you. Were DS's grades all you wanted them to be?

Homebirth..yes DS got his grades...

I feel empty at the moment..I was so looking forward to Olivias first christmas..we didnt have a christmas really last year as we were packing to move..our tenancy expires on 14th December so it means we have to move that week..so there wont be a tree or any decorations and I have no idea where we will move to..first months rent in advance plus deposit will be knocking on nearly 2 grand..we simply dont have it...
I have been looking at the flintshire website homeless info and it looks like we will have to declare ourselves homeless 28 days before our tenancy ends..so christmas could be spent in a hostel..

I feel very empty right now and cheated by our landlords who lied to us to get us to rent the place..just like the other LL ..they knew all along they were selling up.

ml, don't know what to say that would help, but you are in my prayers...

Oh ML - thats dreadful, glad your DS got his grades. Don't know what else to say, sorry, thinking of you...

Pam - rian approx 15lbs n takes 6 oz every 2.5 hours, like WLTK says they wont take more than they need. Good luck with essay :)

Heffa - hope your feeling better

Warning! Moan coming...

My DP is driving me crazy - every little niggle Rian has he is convinced there is a medical reason, aargh!! We keep falling out over it. really tempted to get him to speak with HV everytime so she can tell him. He says Rian too hungry (sounds like he's same as all the other LO's) so says he should be weaned early - keep telling him that digestive system etc not ready and risk of allegies (dP has loads of allergys so dont want to increase risk), sore stomach/consitpation - he has something wrong with his bowels, has a smelly ear (needs them cleaned after his bath) he needs ear drops. Its making me more and more angry :(

den, let him talk to the hv, at least you won't need to hear him

sorry last respond not very good tone, not a good day here either... i meant she might be able to tell him more firmly that is nothing wrong with him, and he might listen more... do some nice bonding activity.

that sounds better.