September 09 - Hello world, we're here to destroy you!

[ChutesTooNarrow]

So the last thread could be used as proof that September 09 (and an August!) parents were kept far too busy by their babies to talk about them very often! Shall we see if we can get this one done before second birthdays (eek, 2 is so big) are upon us?

no ladyem, you're meant to say "aren't 3 year olds much much nicer and easier and more reasonable than nearly 1 year olds" - it gives us mothers of only one a small amount of hope :o

Sorry Kveta!

Think the new routine has made her a little uneasy as she has started having the odd tantrum again. She also still has this cough, so is feeling under the weather. On top of that she keeps quoting her story books at me (to her advantage!) when she doesn't like what I say. the favourites at the moment are "I'll tell your Father!" (points her finger at me at the same time) , which is in 'The Frog Prince' and is used if I tell her not to do something like sit on her brother , and "My life is ruined!" from 'The 12 Dancing Princesses'. If this is anything to go by I am in trouble when she hits the teens!

Ahh Ladyem mine is the same! Quoting books must be a phase. He also says 'don't be rude to me' complete with finger shaking, I didn't even realised I did that till he did

In some was it does get much easier Kveta. I took dd into town while ds was at nursery yesterday, and she just would not sit still in the pushchair or on my lap, she shrieked the whole journey, there and back. I tried singing/bouncing/toys to no avail. I could have easily engaged ds in a story or a song. Dd is very bad for hair pulling, scratching etc, it's impossible as she just doesn't get that it's no on. The go through phases of hurting of course but at 3 ds now understands it is not ok, if he rarely hurts on purpose and he knows he is told off. He also responds to 'scary mummy' voice and usually stops dead whereas dd doesn't care yet and carries on giggling away. Also when he gets really silly and naughty I can stick him in bed for a few minutes to calm down whereas dd would just scream herself into a state if I left her in the cot. Each age has new challenges, I have to say I am finding ds easier at the mo just because he responds to me... Like cooking dinner, dd will hang off my legs screaming to be picked up, if ds is wanting attenition I can distract him with a puzzle/book/helping me chop veg or something. At one if they want mummy, only mummy will do! Can you tell who has been most trying this morning

Meant to say took dd into town on the bus!

Glad it's not just mine, Bigbang!! You're right, at least at this age, they 'get it' that you mean business and you can ignore them when it gets too much, where as it is much harder to ignore a 12 month old and they wouldn't really understand anyway. She's great most of the time, but some days she just gets out of bed on the wrong side!! Then it's a pleasure for all!!

She's at nursery this morning and then we have her swimming lesson this afternoon. She has to go in on her own in this new group, so will be interesting to see how that pans out!! Had to go and buy her a swimming costume this morning as hers is too small and you cannot buy them anywhere!! Do Boots, Next, Mothercare et al think that no one goes swimming in the autumn?! Managed to get one from a cheapy sports shop for £1.99! it's pink, so she'll be happy!

Right, just time for a quick cuppa before I have to pick her up!

Hope all are well today!

chutes - I just wanted to say something on competitive sleeplessness. DH and I were bad for this in the early days - then I went all psychological on his ass, and now get a lot more sleep :o - basically, I said to him "you work full time, and so you need your sleep so much more than I do, so why don't you sleep in another room during the week and get some good nights?". Naturally, he agreed, and he slept in another room during the week. Then after a couple of weeks of this, I burst into tears one friday morning, howled that I was absolutely knackered and a danger to myself and Oli, waah waah waah, etc. DH immediately offered to deal with the night wakings over the weekend and even let me have a lie in most saturday mornings since :o Now he always gets up before me to get Oli from his cot, and has to wake me (well, he thinks he does - I'm playing dead in the vain hope that they'll shut up and go away...) to get me to feed the baby. It may be worth a try for you? I hope you get some sleep soon, it's so bloody devastating to have unbroken night after unbroken night.

bigbang and ladyem - I've just been reading a book on toddler taming which is quite funny even if I don't agree with every last letter of it. 3 year olds do sound like fun, but hard hard work. your DD does sound hilarious though ladyem - you should write down some of her more outrageous quotes to embarrass her when she's older :o I am sure it's not so funny in the middle of it, but your descriptions of her make me smile!

Oli's latest delight is that he can reach the table and the kitchen counters, so NOTHING is safe. I've had to tape the fridge and freezer shut with duct tape too because he's worked out how to open them - gah! He opened a stair gate yesterday but I am pretty sure it was a fluke as he hasn't worked out how to do it since. I'm thinking of using his reins to tether him somewhere where he can't cause damage...

The trouble is, Kveta, that you sometimes have to try really hard to not laugh as you are supposed to be telling them that something is wrong, but it is actually very funny!! If DH is telling her off he has to block me from his line of vision as I am grinning from behind my hand and he is trying really hard to have his 'serious parent' face on!!

She's been lovely today after the initial moaning start!! Nursery then a swimming lesson, so may be she is just needing more and more activities and stimulation now that she is getting older. We always did stuff at home like arty-type stuff, then would go to the park or a walk, sometimes swimming (if I had the mental strength to take them both!!) but never soft play hell!! Now it doesn't seem enough IYSWIM. I think she will be more than ready for school by the time it comes round.

This week has flown by! I can't wait until this time next week as my tooth will be all sorted. Not looking forward to Monday, but at least I will be knocked out for it!! It's poor DH who will have to suffer my sedated ramblings on the way home! When I had it before I was a bit of a... erm... potty mouth when I was coming round!! Apparently I was swearing at all and sundry on the way home from the car window!! Those who know me in real life know that I'm more of a flippin' 'eck type of girl, so was a shock for DH!! Luckily most of the journey home is on the motor way, so the windows will be shut!!

Anyway, bath time, then I'm going to settle in the settee with a big plate of pie and chips!! Comfort food is in order, I think!!

Also, forgot to mention on the opening cupboards and fridge thing. DD used to do this and a friend gave me a good tip which was to let her see what was in them all and play with a few things, just to satisfy her curiosity, then put on child locks (which then all broke and I removed a week later, but that's a different story!!) on all but one cupboard which had pans, tupperware and other non-breakables in. She was allowed to open and empty this cupboard to her hearts content, and TBH after she'd had a look in the other ones she got board pretty quickly anyway!! Might be worth a try if he is getting into everything! But, don't make the mistake I did and leave the flour in one of the tupperware boxes. Somehow she managed to get it out without me seeing and 5 minutes later I walked into the living room to find what can only be described as a snowstorm, complete with toddler who was completely white from head to toe!! Flour is now in the top cupboard!

yeah, we've tried the cupboard thing - he still tries to get into them regardless. We've had to tie the handles together on the cupboard with bleach etc in it, and he hasn't worked out how to open that yet. nor has DH though. Oli has opened the oven more than DH has actually, must do some nagging and get him cooking again.

good luck with the tooth op ladyem, iit sounds a bit grim, but ultimately worth it!

when my alarm went off this morning, I remembered that this time last year I was in labour - 1st contraction was thursday 24th at 6.20 when DH got up for work! needless to say he didn't get much work done that day... you lot already had your babies then!! and look how much they've all grown!

Looks like it's all working again here? I've been getting down messages for the last two days.

Ladyem I have accidentally done the same as you suggest with books. We ignored Gabe pulling them off shelves unless he was about to rip a page off but filled a shelf with his books and encouraged him to go crazy with them. So now he only goes to 'his' book shelf and sits there pulling many copies of 'That's Not My Dinosaur/Teddy/Mother's Sanity on his head. I absolutely love watching him sit and read a book, he concentrates so hard and giggles to himself. He is getting a load more books as DP is spending his work bonus on an Amazon book order - that's why I am demanding recommendations on fb!

He hasn't bothered much with kitchen cupboards, just gazes at his beloved washing machine when in there. It has a child lock so I let him press the buttons, apparently it's the best thing in the world?.

Kveta DP sleeps in a another room most of the time and I still get tiredness competitions from him! He is very good though, and I do get a lie-in at the weekends, and I feel a little guilty that he doesn't at the moment. He also got up with Gabe every day of our holiday. I really shouldn't complain, we are both just terrible when tired.

I think, don't want to jinx it, that we are over the latest teething bout as Gabe is back to two wake-ups overnight. He is slowly sleeping longer stretches so there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Were you in labour for two days Kveta?

started 6.20 am on thursday morning. Oli eventually yanked out (forceps) saturday night, 11.25 pm.

it was a long couple of days :o

Wow. Although mine was so quick (seven hours, including two hours where I gave up as the midwifes were ignoring me and I think I managed to stop my contractions and had to go on a drip) I felt a bit cheated out of the labour experience.

I've been meaning for ages to head over to childbirth and ask about this: I had absolutely no urge whatsoever to push? Anyone else? I keep on feeling like I did it wrong, and that I was meant to have this overwhelming urge to push and I really didn't. I also don't have a clue when my waters went

I had no idea what was going on once the 2nd epidural kicked in TBH - they told me I was 10 cm and they'd wait an hour then I could start pushing. But it felt like before, I was still numb up to the armpits. I don't think I pushed properly for the 1st hour though - it was only the threat of forceps and someone actually explaining how to push that helped. Then the forceps turning him around to get him into the right position of course!

I only know when my waters went because there was a midwife sticking a hook up my fanjo at the time.

I felt like a total failure for needing assistance, but fuck it. I'm asking for an epidural up front next time (preferably withing 10 minutes of the first contraction :o ha ha), none of that fannying around with pethidine and gas and air and positions - 'just sit like this kveta, that'll make it more bearable' - no miss midwife, that'll make me feel like I'm trying to pull myself out of a bear trap that's got me by the midriff.

Blimey!! Well done you!! Please tell me you had an epidoodle for the forceps! I was demanding one after only 3 hours of proper labour, but he popped out 10 minute later, so missed out!

Must admit, I've stopped letting J go anywhere near the kitchen for the moment . I have one of these which I have opened out to section off the living room. Mainly because I am always dropping food and breaking stuff and last time he was crawling on the floor in there I found him playing with a piece of broken cup that I had missed!! So now it is out of bounds until he can walk!!

Chutes - after your FB status I was looking on Amazon for more books, but then realized that I will have no time for reading stuff I actually want to read as I'll be reading my uni books. Interesting as they are, it's not the same as sitting down with a good novel!

Off on a 40th birthday bash tomorrow with an overnight stay!! Girls only, so poor DH will have to contend with J screaming crying for Mummy while I am gone . I'm more worried for DH, than J as he will be well looked after, but think DH will need a stiff drink by the time he gets them to bed tomorrow night!!

Bigbang - did you hear back about your midwifery course?

at 2 day labour! Ouch. I had a fairly long day with J and that induction, but Mads came flying out :o With regards the urge to push, I don't think I felt it as that, I was trying to climb the bed away from the pain. The midwife had realised pretty quickly that I needed to push, but I was terrified of tearing in two and was pretty much refusing. Definitely felt my waters go, it was so strange. Having had them broken by the registrar first time round, this time was a huge shock when there was an exploding sound (like muffled balloon bursting) right behind my belly button. (Belly button? did I really just write that?!) Took a second to work out what had happened then I shifted slightly on the bed and out came the torrent. The midwives were pretty shocked too, at the sheer volume :o

On the book front I'm a bit bored. I did cave in and buy Jilly Cooper's new one out of habit, I do love Jilly. I'm also going to plough through Eat, pray, Love to see what all the fuss is about. Not sure it's going to be my cup of tea though. I've read a bit of Jonathan Kellerman, quite like them, enjoyed reading the Politics of Breastfeeding, and am toying with reading one of the books suggested on the Feminism topic. I need a new favourite author...

Oooh competitive tiredness is no fun at all. We fought really really badly after ds, it was hellish. It hasn't been so bad this time around as I have just bitten my lip if dp starts. I explained to him that if I said I was tired, all I really wanted was a bit of sympathy and a hug as rationally I knew there wasn't all that much more either of us could do as he has to work. He used to hear 'I'm tired' and insist he was just as tired, if not more automatically, because otherwise I might expect him to get up more/go for a nap then and there... I told him just to be nice about it and I would be too when he was moaning.

I'm tired is normally met with 'ah you better have an early night tonight then' now, we both know he won't go to bed at 8. It shuts him up as he knows he can't complain about it but not go to bed when he has the chance. He has actually said yes a couple of times and go to bed very early for a long night, I can now weed out when he is actually exhausted and when he just fancies a break/nap etc. Once we broke the cycle its been much easier, well mostly anyway we still have the odd fight about it! It must be 10 times worse when you both need to work, kveta I am in awe of you I really am.

Jees that was long sorry...!

I did get the urge to push but my mum didn't with me or my brother. She had to be directed too- she had pethidine during my brothers labour and gas and air with mine. Every women is different I guess.

Yes ladyem I got a place . Can't wait to start, I wish March would hurry up!

I have a hen party this weekend so will be leaving dd for the first time. Dp is taking the children to his parents for the weekend. I am not happy I would rather they stayed at home so I can get back easily if I am needed (party is in Cambridge and so are we) but I guess it's up to him as he is in charge Dd is not great at settling without me and still used to four breast feeds a day so I really don't know what will happen. She takes a beaker ok but isn't that keen... Argh I really hope she is alright.

Am off on my weekend away - yippee!! - but just popping onto say Happy Birthday to Oli for tomorrow, Kveta!! Hope he has a fantastic day!

That is it exactly bigbang, I just want a bit of sympathy not a competition!

Have an amazing weekend ladyem

Happy Birthday Oli! :)

ooh, well done bigbang! how exciting! march is only 6 months away, eek!

thanks for the birthday wishes - Oli has had an, um, interesting day. you know the harry enfield sketch where kevin turns from 12 year old into a TEENAGER - well Oli did the overnight switch from baby into TODDLER. he has spent most of the day tantrumming. he jumped out of the bath somehow, jammed his fingers in the door, slipped on some wrapping paper, and generally did all he could to worry us!! Still, we had a nice little birthday tea with some friends, and he got some lovely gifts, so all is good :)

sadly all of us seem to have some gut upset, so he and I will be at home tomorrow until he's better enough for nursery.

has anyone else switched the heating on yet? it's bloody freezing here and I'm all muffled up in fleece and several layers, but we're trying to resist for a few more weeks. Am off to dig out the hot water bottles in a bit!

Happy birthday Oli! Hope you are all better soon Kveta.

Gabe has lots of bashed fingers as he is obsessed with doors and drawers today. I demonstrated textbook ineffective parenting watching him open a drawer whilst vaguely saying don't play with the drawer darling, you'll hurt your fingers... SLAM, WAAAH Tantrums here too, he lobs things across the room when he's annoyed. It's quite cute.

Not got the heating on but it's not too cold here. Our house is furnace like, one advantage of a terrace! Besides, I think we need to fix the radiator that Gabe yanked off the wall before the heating goes on.

Hope everyone had a good weekend. We had DPs 8 ear old niece staying which was fab as I got to play barbies

We had a very similar finger trapping incident a few weeks ago when Dh opened the living room door not realising that Harry was right behind it. Door went over finger nail which got infected and had to be pulled off by the nurse !

Ouch LJ! I banged Gabe's head by opening a door and not realising he was there. He does have ninja-like speedy stealth skills at moving in my defense but I ought to stop telling my tales of terrible parenting.

Why was I bragging my house was like a furnace yesterday? It is FREEZING today. Heating will be going on later.

god, oli spends much of his time being toppled by doors and knees smacking into him. It's lucky his bum is padded by a nappy really. He's also still a sleep crawler so we are often woken by a 'CLUNK' as he crawls into the head of his cot then cries. How do so many adults exist when babies are so unbelievably silly?! I'm constantly amazed that he's survived the day after all his ludicrous exploits.

poor harry LJ, sounds painful!

Oli hasn't had a solid poo yet today, and if he hasn't had one by 8am tomorrow, I can't take him to nursery. grr.

hope ladyem is ok after her dental visit today!