Dec 08 Ladies - Waiting for BabyLady & the usual grumpy tots with stinky bots

[DeidreBarlow]

Hope this is ok...

oh and of course I meant to say, have got a real wriggler on board here! Was lying in bed this morning and felt some jiggling and put hand on my tummy, I felt him/her kicking from the outside Looks like the nickname Kicky Legster will be passing on from eldest to youngest child...

Hello there ladies

Long time no post..... I have been inordinately busy again but am coming out of it a bit now. Just wanted to say to Avo that the pox is usually brewing for 3 weeks from exposure before you get a spot, though they do feel crap for a few days before the spots appear. Fingers crossed that this accords with your plans.

Trace, I am so glad your work can accommodate your appointments. My L also has the bad behaviour type of tiredness. She has a few problems in Y1 with her new teacher, which I won't bore on about now, but I am hopeful of getting it sorted. I have been charged with mentioning the concerns of a group of mothers though. You can imagine how much I am looking forward to that.

Beans, I am sorry things aren't great for your sister. Would you be around next week for a coffee and a gossip? I am aware that I still haven't seen Baby Rubes or handed over your baby gifts yet, so perhaps we can put in a date as well Rubes? Twould be lovely.

My shepherd's pie is burning. Back in a minute.

Are you the Alpha mum Sybs?

Glad the spots are improving for DD & hooray for Wriggly legster2!

Hi all. Well my sister did mention it in passing and we touched on it, but didn't go into detail as didn't feel it was the right time and I didn't really know what to say. But she gave DD1 a toy buggy, so she's happy as larry pushing it around. It was one of her daughter's old ones. She also gave us her old car seat. In all honesty, I wouldn't use it if you paid me. But didn't have the heart to tell her it was crap! Never mind.

Sybs - would love to see you. Let's text.

DH again this weekend on cyling - he's going tonight. Got a friend coming to stay, which will be nice. Although she is v kack handed. But is DD1's godmother and pregnant herself - hurrah!

Car journey back from Bayswater and DD1 fell asleep as hadn't given her asleep. She's got a bit of a cough and woke up in a rage about it and ended up vomitting all down herself with crying! And DD2 did such a massive explosion of poo that I've had to strip them both down to nothing and into clean vests and that's it. Nice day!

Where is everybody? DH has just left and I nearly wept! Saddo. I just miss his company.

Both DDs fast asleep. Hurrah. Have changed sheets and now for a beer. BRING IT ON.

Oh and JJ - when are you due??! x

Hello all, back safe and sound, DD very excited to see me which was lovely but now won't go to sleep.. Have had only 2 hours sleep myself so pleeeeeease go to land of nod DD!

Hope everyone well, ankles notwithstanding Veggie! Did I miss any big news??

Oh Beans you poor thing, I can't believe that poo & vomit combo, bloomin' heck that's evil. How long is DH away for. I think this one def requires another spa visit pressie. How's beer-o'clock going for you?

Kiwi bring kiwigirl up to your choice of Internet access.....ok is she there...right kiwigirl GO TO SLEEP!!!! NOW!

I'm out tomorrow for a little girls night in at a friends house so we moved takeaway night to tonight mmmmm so yummy.

Hurrah! Glad you're back, Kiwi.

I must now go and eat my dinner.

xxxx

Oh & the swelling has gone down heaps so hoping it will be loads better tomorrow so I can ride to my friends house. Also it's DHs birthday on Sunday so I need to take the boys out shopping.

Just quickly - lovely day. Went to meet MrladyT at work as we had left stairgate at LadyT's and desperately need it for naps and mornings Thank him for us Lady (poor guy having to show up to very important job in a lovely suit carrying a baby gate! )
Ended up having a lovely walk and had a nice late lunch on the river in Kingston. Slight initial meltdown from ds as he'd not had a nap but it was nipped in the bud by lovely lovely child friendly place where owner pulled out toys for ds and ended up having a long leisurely lunch and several drinks until late afternoon Then managed to stop at Aldi for quick shop on the way home. Still no meltdown to speak of, but did have to allow ds to push the trolly around Aldi himself

Vaggie - I came home to a very nice surprise. Thanks for the lovely gifts! ds was happy as larry and it was very very cute for dd, love them, you are so kind. I did chuckle at the card we couldn't read as we made up what it said Oh and Vag - just read about your ankle - glad it's on the mend!!

Beans I can relate as I've been there before for sure, but luckily last night we got home after an hours drive from Lady's house and dd did massive explosive poo the minute we walked in the door however that's the first time she's waited! We had a similar disaster at Bluewater at the weekend with ds as a result of teething and too many raisins Anyway Beans hope you are enjoying your beer and not too sad that dh is away.

Sybs nice to hear from you. You're welcome anytime. As is Beans, Spot etc, let's make a date. Spot I will FB you my number as I don't think you have it. Kiwi, and anyone else in my general area also extended to of course!

Kiwi glad you are back and all is well with dd!

Right I had more but off to cook some steak

Oh I think dh is taking me to Gaucho Grill for my birthday. He's been and says it's brilliant (he knows I like a nice steak) has anyone else been?
Oh and I may be in London a bit earlier as I'm going to do a spot of shopping if mil comes over early enough so if that's the case and anyone is around on the 25th for a cheeky spot of cheerfulness before I meet dh (he's working all day) let me know.

Ok back later....

Hello fabulous ladies, I am hoping I will get this catch up done whilst DP is on the blower.

I slept badly last night, woke DP up, he had an awful night, and then we were both woken up early by the fellas who are painting the outside of the building talking utter crap beneath the bedroom window before they started their working day. And yes I did give them a mouthful

Rubes, so glad you got the stairgate ok and DP was only sorry he couldn't bring it to the house. And vv pleased you had such a lovely afternoon, hurrah!

I have to tell you all that Rubes' DH has surpassed himself with his amazing carpentry skills, and the help has been brilliant but more than that, the excellent company has just really cheered me up. My DD has been a bit of a monkey the last couple of days, though (Avo, if you'd been there yesterday I think it would have shattered your illusions ) so I personally didn't get much done. Rubes' DS looked very dubious and worried by her histrionics as he prefers to potter around and do bloke stuff

Avo, I was so very sorry not to see you but do think you did the right thing and your DD needed you. I am glad she seems to feel better for the chat. And you, how are you today? All coiffed and packed and prepped? I hope you all have a magnificent time at the wedding and even if the weather is a bit duff I just know it will still be gorgeous.

Spot, O is having frightful tantrums at the moment and I really don't get it (maybe I am not giving her enough time, but I am clutching at straws really) so it's not just you. It's harder when you've got a bump and your back is aching, isn't it?

Veggie, your poor ankle! Good it's on the mend. Your DS2 did a forward roll? Wowzers! Your boys are so physically adept. I didn't mention my headaches to the consultant. I am fine, just not resting enough and the top of my bump only usually gets sore right at the end of the day. Strictly speaking it is inflammation but the consultant says the muscle does, and probably has, torn in places. It's called costochondritis, for those of a medical bent.

Trace, I am pleased everything worked out well in the end but am annoyed your manager was inititally negative. Yes, dummy for sleep here, and indeed, for public meltdowns. I haven't got a prob with it, but dentist SIL says it's bad for their teeth beyond 2 so will remove around then, though I am less hot on this than DP. And beaker of water in bed here too What can possibly be wrong with that? I am hoping it's harmless. She doesn't have milk in bed overnight, again because of teeth issue.

B - so many sympathies on the food refuseniks. It is so stressful I know. I don't think you behaved badly. We all beat ourselves up for the least thing, don't we? DD's food has slipped back this last week or two - the long days at the house aren't helping. I'm trying to roll with the punches.

SL - I adore the dress! It will look lovely on you. I am too late with the shoes, aren't I? If you get red shoes I can lend you a red handbag...I will post some pics of the house on FB when we are done.

Welcome home young Kiwi!

JJ - love the nickname. Sounds like you have aanother lively little number! My own little wriggly legster is markedly busier in utero than DD was. Hmm. How is your SIL and new nephew?

Urbane, it is lovely to hear from you. Do pop in when you can. I can see that your work would be really tough going at the mo. Keep flying the flag.

Sybs. I am afraid I quite see that you'd be the ideal candidate to tackle a bad teach tactfully...but also see why you wouldn't relish it. But you hardly ever say how YOU are. Sending you a big hug and have dropped you a wee line to thank you for your most cheering gift last week.

Beans, sorry your DH has gone again. Think you are coping magnificently with two, I have to say. I am frankly in awe of how well you, Rubes and Summer are managing and doubt I will do so well. Sorry about your sis. How tricky. I don't talk to my sister about that sort of stuff either (similar age gap, she is 7 yrs older than me). Hope my girls are closer.

Talking of my sister, their dog has just died and I am really sad about it. He was a marvellous hound. He was 14, though, ancient for a pedigree, and ill to boot. But he was smashing and my littlest nephew is so upset and I can't bear it They got the dog when he was a baby so they have grown up together.

Right, am being antisocial so must biff off for now.

I said 'B' when I meant DB. Sorry, Deirdre B!

Welcome back Kiwi! Glad DD received you with joy.

And I'm glad your ankle is on the mend Veggie.

We are off to Italy this morn. For some reason I am really nervous. Odd.

Have a great week girls. X

Have a lovely time in Italy Avo :).

LadyT: I'm sure DD is aware that Something is Up. She's such a bright little thing. I'm sure when the baby is here you'll all settle into a routine and things will be much easier. Toddler + newborn is a million times easier than toddler + heavily preggers.

Trace: glad your manager has seen sense.

Summer: yes, I can't see paying over 100 quid for ballet pumps! I like your shiny heels. I'd offer to lend my (comfy) red heels, only they are a size 40.

Spot: I often feel like tantrumming back at my two. Not constructive I suppose.

Breakthrough of the week: DS2 is calling me Mum! Still won't say Mummy, but it's an improvement on Nanny.

Morning all!

trace DS still has a dummy at bedtime, as did DD till she was 3. I think as long as its not permenantly shoved in their mouths then its okay. Dentist has also said that DD has a perfect bite, despite her having it that long. Although to be fair we did remove it on his advice. Glad to hear you got your counselling sessions sorted too, even if it was a worry for a little while.

avo Have a lovely holiday and mayyou remain pox free!

beans Sorry to hear DH has gone away, again! And that was a pretty bad car journey to have to deal with...poo & vom bleurgh!

ladyt DS has shocking tantrums too, especially when he can't get his own way. Which is at least 2/3 times a day.

rubes well done to you and MrRubes for all your DIY and cheering up our lady

kiwi welcome home! great that DD was so pleased to see you.

DS decided to empty anentire box of porridge oats all over the floor this morning just as I was trying to get everyone out of the door and to school. He redeemed himself by saying 'mama' in a very pitiful voice. So I am now off to take him swimming. Hey Effie mum is a definite improvement on Nanny, that still makes me giggle!

DB - I had my dummy until I was 4 which is probably why they don't worry me overly - at which point I voluntarily gave it up as I decided I was too old and I ought to My teeth are fine. And why do they ALWAYS do stuff just as we are going out the door?

Effie - Mum is good! We are still with the 'Lady' here...

Oh completely forgot about Trace's water & dummy question. I think the water is entirely reasonable, well hydrated child is a good thing surely. DS1 used to have a beaker of milk put in his bed for him to take a swig at overnight until he was 3. That must be way worse than water. Also on the dummy thing we inadvertently weaned him off them for sleep at around 10 months. It was all fine until recently he is waking several times between 3 & 7am and requires a quick suck at the boob to go back to sleep. We gave tried before to cut out all night feeds which didn't go well. Last night he woke at 9.30pm so I suddenly decided I was going to try cold turkey again. However, I'd it doesn't work this time after 4 nights I'm going to reintroduce the dummy, is that bad?

DS2 had his little music group this morning and afterwards a few of us went to a cafe around the corner for coffee and a natter. The place was completely empty but for us and the kids didn't really wander about very much but had some snacks we'd bought and some biscuits from the cafe. There was some crumbs on the floor & the opepackets fr the biscuits and I guess we left a mess but we were the only people there. Anyway the cafe women was so cranky and huffy about the mess we left.. She ranted on while we were leaving about the mess & said "do you leave this mess in England!". We apologised but as our kids were running off in all directions we could helpmclean up and for ?2.50 a cup for coffee I didn't think we should have to. Needless to say we won't be going back there. If it was busy you could understand but the place was empty.

Hi folks, we still have a dummy for sleeps, T can find it, not that it helps him to go back to sleep at the moment. I am sorry to bang on so much about it but last night was typical and just knackering. He was up for about 3 hours in the night, did what we could to head off any problems, (gave calpol and teething gel if it was pain), gave another bottle of milk, went in and gave a cuddle, reassurance etc. In fact the one thing we've not done is stay with him until he falls asleep - I don't mind that idea so much but DP is insistent we won't to avoid him needing us to be there to get to sleep. He's not going down easily (not til 9pm whatever time we put him to bed) and up in the night (not upset, just wanting to play and crying when we leave the room) then up again at 7am, clearly tired but not able to sleep. Have tried putting him to bed earlier in case he's overtired but that doesn't make a difference, it's just more stressful for both of us to have him awake but in his cot for even longer. He's only sleeping 1.5 hours in the day, that's not too long surely?
Anyhow, sorry for the rant, but any suggestions gratefully received!

Veggie I'd personally go for whatever gets you the most sleep (well I would right now!) and if that means reintroducing the dummy, I'd def go for that.

effie, mum is good. He's just bypassed the 'mummy' stage, soon he'll be asking for pocket money and wanting to borrow your DH's razor

Have a great holiday in Italy, Avo

LadyT, sorry you had a crap night on top of everything else you had to content with! Hope last night was better. And for your sis's dog, pets are like family, I hope your DN has some happy things to look forward to.

Pubie, how would next Weds work for you - and any other visitors? Where do you live again?

Welcome back, Kiwi, hope you're sleeping off the jetlag.

Oh, in other news we've put in an offer on a house but I'm not going to say anything as I know how flaky we are on this front. Will give more details when/if anything's been accepted.

Not even a cheeky little website link Spot.

On the whether you should stay to settle, I don't know if it would help, we are having similar night wakings to you but we are doing opposite things ie, you give bottles, I BF, you put him in the cot, he is sleeping with us. So apart from it's nice to know it's not just the fact that I've been weak & BFing him to sleep, as T does it as well and he is bottle fed, it seems that even doing the opposite to what we are doing would help either, IYSWIM. How do we get these bloody beggars to sleep!

Bloody itouch I meant wouldn't not would help.

You're right Veg, in fact I would love to get T to cosleep and settle but he's always screamed if we tried to get him into our bed . I think he just has an Obstinate Personality.

I'm afraid I can't do a little linky, would def jinx it! How is your house hunt going?

Spot: as you know I am not a routine and training person, but on your situation I would try controlled crying for the stipulated 3 nights. If it doesn't work, it's only a short period, and if it does you can get more rest. We followed the tips in Toddler Taming - I.e. go in at 5 mins, then after 7, 9 and so on. Cuddle till they become quiet (er) then back to bed and leave. Of clues you know T best so may well think it will be a short route to even more broken nights, but it worked for us (DS1 was 15 mo when we first tried it).

Both my littles have got horrible coughs/colds, suddenly from nowhere. V annoying and miserable little things. Typical when DH has gone away for weekend. DD2 trying to suck her thumb all the time. She has a dummy at moment, but think will see if she can attach herself to her thumb. Helps with DD1. And means I won't have to go in in the night and put the dummy back in! Is that foolish??!

Spot - hope house goes well!

spot sorry you are having trouble with t settling in the night. I have to agree with Effie though, we tried CC with DS when he was about 12 months and it worked a treat. he relapsed a couple of months ago aand we tried it again. Thankfully 2 nights inand he got the message. Good luck with whatever you decide...but I do agree with your DH about avoiding you being there to settle themif you avoid it. We used to sit with DD to settle her and she was 3.4mths before we managed to get her to go to sleep on her own. I hated it, hence the CC with DS.

Oh and hope the house sale goes through, I'm crossing everything I can for you!

beans hope the DD's get better soon. DS has had a stinker of a cold. he's better now but his nose is just pure snot lovely!

DD got 2 stickers at school today and one was for being a good eater. I have said time and time again what a fussy eater she is. Well today she had a chicken roast dinner apparently, there was cake for pudding but she said she was too full to eat it...so it seems my hope that eating with other children would improve her eating might just pan out! She also has a boyfriend.

DS was ravenous at lunch after swimming this morning, so for those with picky eaters get them swimming, DS certainly worked up an appetite.

DH has ordered pizza for supper, I have some ciders chilling and Avatar on DVD. has anyone seen it? I can't say it seems all that interesting to me but I am told its fantastic so we'll see...