FEB 2010 Longer out than in and first Christmases around the corner...we're 9 months on.

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Shiny new thread, as promised fellow FEBers!

Figured we would start another new one to mark first birthdays, bethlou, so I've held fire on referencing that landmark in this thread title - hope that's okay with y'all!

Anyway, welcome everybody, pull up a comfy chair, someone get the wine out and I'll open a huge box of chocolates for us all to share.

DS this morning. My mum asked me if there was a water leak at home

GF thanks for the recipe . Your ds looks great!! Love the boots, too. Might have to get something for dd after all now the forecast is for arctic weather later in the week... [ look at CC]

watercress I wish all the best for your dad and hope your DD gets better soon.

GF I move around in the dark at night, get really upset if someone moves things around as I get bumps...
Hope your DS gets better soon.

IC you are right my DD took her first steps a few weeks ago but she was past 8.5 months so CC's daughter still wins the crown!!! She is also not that good, she does 2 steps then kneel down and crawls very fast (usually running after or away from her sister )
I can't believe she will be 10 months on sunday. It goes way faster with the 2nd one than the 1st!!!

God you have been busy! All those pictures are very cute too.
my computer is back!

I can't really help with the sleep. DD2 has been napping in her cot for ages, goes down in seconds; if not 3 "pick up put down" usually does it. She is still busy at night (asleep but keeping me awake) but just need at put down and dummy to be quiet (usually concentrated at 3 or 4 am). The only thing is that her wake up time seems stuck on 5h15 since the time changed. 6h15 was much better! She is also a light sleeper she whinges when DH snores too loud or dogs bark or weird noises happen which in turn wake me up.
Wondering about getting rid of the dummy, but she definitely shows sign of taking a finger to suck when tired. Still undecided, DH doesn't want her to suck her thumb but I kind of think, it didn't do me any harm, and she might "resettle" alone at night. Where is the tired emoticon?

I did a kind of CC with DD1 but she wouldn't take a dummy or her fingers. She cried for about 20 min at night, 5 min for the naps then fell asleep, untill she just babled then talked or sang to herself till she drop off (sometime after 2h, around 1 y). I started when she was a month, lettting her cry in her cot when I was having the quickest shower just to realised that she was asleep by the time I was dried. But we had an upstairs and down stairs which mutes the sounds. I can't let DD2 cry in the flat, it is too loud, braeking my heart and I am scared of waking up DD1 too.

Oops that's long and I am tired and can't remember anaymore what I read before. Time for bed I am 2 hours ahead tough!

whistles and gets on with work

(it is a bit cold now though)

Watercess What with your DD and your dad you are having a rough time. Hope DD gets well soon and your dad's op is not too serious.

Think a few of our DCs are suffering with colds. DD went to GP today about her cough and he just said not a lot he can do at the moment but if her breathing is fast or she gets worse to bring her back. Thinks her teeth could be playing a part too. I can't help but wonder if because I am on anti deps he thinks I am just a neurotic mum.
Poor DD is so under the weather she started falling asleep on the living room floor, so quick bath and asleep by 6.30pm tonight. The downside is she only took 2 oz of milk. Hope she doesn't wake hungry!

BG and GF fab pics!!

IC How was lunch?? Glad you got a better night last night.

Thinking of Abs in Paris
Have always wanted to go. Maybe one day! [dreams emoticon]

Mamaloco I am 33 and still suck my thumb when tired!

Welcome back, mamaloco - and congrats on another walker, silver medal or no (!)

Gorgeous pix, GF and BG!!!

Don't you find yourselves looking at your DC as they rapidly acquire more hair and teeth (in most cases!!) and see the baby almost morphing into a little girl/boy in front of your eyes? I'm not sad at losing the baby, more full of wonder at how fast my LO's changing and growing up. 'Tis an amazing thing to witness at close quarters, to be sure.

Naps, well. The occasions I've experimented with PU/PD and CC for daytime sleep, I've just had a load of crying and the resulting nap has tended to be very short. So I usually wimp out fairly quickly because I don't want DD to further mess up her night sleep by missing her naps. As yet, the nap thing is more an inconvenience than a major nightmare, hence why I'm not at the point where I'm prepared to do sleep-training for naps. Yet.

Anyway, I'll shut up about it for a bit - I'm even starting to bore myself

Our lunch went pretty well today, although we were butting up to the end of DD's happy awake time, so she started to get a bit restless and cranky after a while. But it was still a very pleasant meal.

Blimey, I hope the arctic weather doesn't travel as far south as Madrid (it does get BLOODY cold here in the winter, though). Time to invest in a snow-suit for DD, me thinks. And it's looking like her main Xmas present from me and DH will be a buggy foot muff! Hopefully that will help her make the transition from the pram when she outgrows it (which will be soon)....

at IC's present to DD of a foot muff. At the moment we're not getting DD any presents . Money's tight; she wouldn't know that it was a present, anyway; and she will get plenty from our families. Still, insert meany emoticon here.

Lovely pictures, all. They really are turning into little boys and girls, aren't they. It is lovely but I'm a little to see my baby disappear. I have taken some lovelyl cute pictures of DD and so I must work out how to show them. Really too tired right now.

watercress I hope that you have heard from your mum and that it is good news.

mama great news that your computer is back!

CC how cold is a bit cold - bet it was colder here today! Brrrrr.

LBH we are all neurotic mums... well most of us... I took DD to the doctor with a cold when she was about 8 weeks and the doctor said very sarcastically... "She has a cold". I mean, I knew that, I was just worried... Sending get well wishes your way and to watercress's DD and GF's DS.

Well I'm really tired but there's something on at 10 that DH and I love to watch (The Trip, has anyone else in the UK been watching it? So fab) so we're going to stay up and it won't be an early night... as usual. I'm my own worst enemy sometimes .

it's high teens in the day and 4-6 lows. IC I've been in Madrid in January so now what it's like there. Was going to meet a friend but snow outside the city stopped the trains.

Know what you mean about them not being babies, but they're not toddlers either. It is a bit sad.

watercress i hope things go OK for your family, remember we're here to rant to.

Speaking of which MIL is getting her mother a photo album for her B'day next week. Which was what we were going to do for xmas. To make matters worse, she's using my photos she's downloaded from the internet. Though even she'd realise it was our place to make photo presents, especially since I'm quite into photography. grrrr

We're not getting DD nothing either Scones Money is kinda an issue, but also I don't see the point.

DH still sucks his thumb and I'm leaving her dummy for the same reason. Whenever I think about taking it away, her thumb/hand gets in her mouth more. She only has it if we're putting her to bed. The other day her comforter and dummy were on the table and she went and got them. One way of telling us it's nap time :)

Some more lovely pics we all have adorable babies. For uploading videos: you can use your google account for youtube (or set up one). When you press the big yellow upload button and it's done it. In the dialogue box is an option to select only people with the link can view it. You are also given a link to copy and paste straight into here . So easier than uploading a photo online from scratch.

GF as always hope your little man rallies

IC know what you mean about boring yourself with the same story. LO bedtime seems quite good now (she has taken herself off for the last two nights) so will use thanksgiving to work on naps in the cot I think instead.

We need to start getting her used to socks/shoes and snowsuits for xmas. What do your's sleep in. I'm doubtful blankets or sleepbags will work for her or do you have the house warm enough so she's OK in a babygro?

ps welcome back proper mamoloco

cc wow! and what a sweetie - Esme is quite cute too

watercress hope your Dad's ok

AbsB enjoy Paris!

ML yey! for fixed computer!

LBH BC fingers crossed you've got the sleeping cracked

IC i love being out with the DC's when they're both on form - happy times!

BG hope the cake turned out ok! meant to add, doesn't matter what sort of sugar, fruit or jam you use - just slightly alters the taste/texture - i usually use up whatever we've got in - so a mixture of different sugars, and often chopped up prunes, apricots etc have been known to chop up a fresh apple too to make the weight up! so long as the mix isn't too runny it works out just fine!

DD's birthday coming up on Friday? this time four years ago i was mahoosive and 12 days overdue? blimey

have a good day y'all

oh, and DS is only getting a prezzie cos DD would wonder why he didn't!!! bath toy at 1.99! (though will prob buy him a fleece blanket too, cos we're planning on getting him one anyway, and DD is fed up of him pulling hers off!!)

CC your video is really cute. She looks so clever! The effect of walking early is lost on my giant. Everyone is expecting her to walk and talk as most 18 months to 2 yo will do! Her face is still babyish though and small compare to her body size.

We have communist heating here! She sleeps in babygrow with a cellular blanket which usually gets kicked aside. About 24 in living rooms probably 30 in the kitchen (those radiators are stucked open) and above 20 in the bedrooms even with the radiators shut down!

The size is getting ridiculous. She has long arms as well and as learnt to tip toe really early, she can now reach the counter top, nothing is safe from her. We can't really put anything high either because of the earthquake risk .

sconesCC IC I don't see the point either. We woudn't get her a present or a tree, but DD1 still believes in father Xmas so, we will have to be fair and have everything. She would not understand why DD2 has no gift or would think that she is a really naughty baby. So she will probably have new clothes as she is now confortable in 86 cm I don't think she will finish the winter in those, I will need some 92 cm before march.

I already bought footmuffs and snowsuit as they are already needed. I am just praying that the snown suit will last all winter! I couldn't find one 2nd hand as in france and romania they stop them at 81 cm.

For constipation, they need a lot of water with their meal (even if breastfed). She will drink a bit in a glass held for her, in a beaker she will drink about 1 oz, in a bottle she can have as much as 3 to 5 oz.
There is a phobia of the bottle in the UK which is ridiculous. They can have water in the bottle for as long as they want, it is almost the only way to ensure that they drink enough! I bet most of it is due to ensure that parents spend a fortune on finding a beaker that works.
(I know some people give juice in the bottle all day long, that is mainly for them) Last time I bought so many different models which were all pretty much useless, must have spend about 100 pounds to end up using a bottle again. This time I am not even bothering.
Sorry rant over .
I agree with leek, courgette and squash too. Go easy on bananas, rice and potatoes. I can't give citruses it causes a nappy rash.

AbsB in Paris too. Hope she is having fun and champagne!

Well my dad and his wife are here. It is so lovely to see them. I haven't seen them since last December - they are all gooey over DS. It's really nice to have made her a grandma as she wasn't able to have children of her own which was a source of great sorrow to her.

My mum is being manic. They get on well and are staying at her house as she has more rooms. She tires me out - constantly talking and hovering too close to me/DS and giving a kind of running commentary of what's going on (inside her head and just what's happening as well).

DS slept well last night even though we kept him up a bit later than normal and he was disturbed a few times by us talking downstair. He had short wake for a pooey nappy around 5.15. but is refusing hard to go down for morning nap.

cc you definitely need a sleeping bag over here... there's usually a good selection on ebay. dd2 has a very thick one at the moment because I realised she likes it really toasty.

watercress hope all is well with your dad.

watercress thinking of you and hoping your dad is doing well.

CC Isn't your dd clever to be walking. Wonder if she has inherited some of the strength/co-ordination you must have to be a climber?

Thanks all for the advice on constipation. Ds seemed to be getting increasingly distressed with it all over the weekend, so I saw the GP last night and got him some lactulose. He has been trumping like a bloke pro since his first dose so it seems to be working though no dirty nappies yet.

bc the pudsey costume worked quite well for a first attempt, but we are still finding spotty stickers all around the house! Hope you have a nice time with your dad.

Well done to those of you who have been successful with cc. I am not brave enough to try it, but hopefully it won't be necessary anyway. Ds, the little star, has continued to have long naps in the day. 2 hours in the morning then 1 hr 30 in the afternoon. His night time sleep has also improved but it's the naps which have pleased me more. I am so much less stressed because I can get stuff done during the day. Poor ds trapped his finger in a toy last week and his whole nail turned white then dropped off last night. Makes me queasy just thinking about it.

Dd and I made our xmas cake this weekend. I am going to feed it with spiced apple juice rather than brandy so dd can eat it too. Got a letter home from school today reqesting cakes for a cake sale for the first time. Why do people assume that just because you have dc you acquire dressmaking/craft/baking skills?!

Abs hope doggie school and Paris go well. Ooh and the ttc. Don't worry about having two dc. It's a doddle. Honest......

Have been absent for a week and so much to catch up on that I can't possibly go into each person's posts in detail. Love to Watercress and your dad though, as well as to those who are under the weather, freezing cold and struggling with naughty dogs still. Well done to those who are cracking the sleeping (and to the two babies walking - wow!) We are sticking with the dummy here as it seems to stop the reflux-related night coughing/choking - only realised last weekend with guests that it is abnormal when they were terrified at the sound of it. We've got very used to it with both DS

It's my birthday today so DH is off for the day, has taken me out for lunch (and a cheeky afternnon glass of wine). Tomorrow, I am off to a spa with a friend for a day of total relaxation while DH goes solo with the boys for the first time. I'm so excited, it's ridiculous! It will be my first day off since DS2 arrived and is well overdue, especially as DH got to go camping in October.

DS2 has a hospital strength monitor that I've borrowed from someone who hadn't managed to give it back. The first two nights went without a hitch. Last night it went off twice (and DS2 is off colour, which is when you can predict it will go off). I will have such a big row with the bloody consultant when we go back in December! Maybe I should stage a sit in until he believes me that there is something wrong?!! Unfortunately last night DH slept through the alarm (first time it's activated since he's been in his own room) so I can't go and sleep in the spare room tomorrow night for a night off as I can't bear the thought of us not responding to him.

In addition, we also managed to choke DS2 on his tea yesterday. For the first time ever, I have seen a child go blue before my eyes and it was very scary. DS1 was also scared because of the noise and cufuffle (sp?) of us trying to get DS2 out of the highchair in a hurry etc.. (knife fell off the table, tray went skidding across the hard floor..) He sorted himself out just before we started the banging on his back and then needed a cuddle as he was quite distressed. The worst thing was seeing the look of terror in his eyes as he was looking at me, and me hoping I could do something to help him out. {sad] Will be mushing his tea a bit more tonight (as he now only has family food chopped, unless it's too salty).

Sorry for long 'me' post. Will be back later in the week to catch up with you all properly.

p.s. Do go and do a baby first aid course (that are free in England) if you haven't already done one. At the very least yesterday, DH and I didn't panic as we knew what to do, at least in theory.

I need a bad mummy emoticon... Took dd1 for her MMR booster today and had her temperature checked first because of her cold. My own ear thermometer give somewhat unlikely readings (usually 35). While there I asked them to check dd2 as well who seemed a bit hot... 39.1 !!!!

Beth Happy Birthday!!!

Happy B'day Bethylou

Enjoy

Happy birthday bethy How scary that was! Thankfully you're all okay!

BG hopefully your DDs are better.

My DS sleeps in a long sleeves vest then a sleepsuit (but the fluffy style not the plain cotton) and a grobag/sleeping bag. He moves too much for me to bother with a blanket but it's there if needed.

CC my DS shoes are from Pediped They're an American brand. I really like them and DS seems not bothered when wearing them, they are also quite light.

mama I agree with you regarding the bottle. I've been told by HV that DS needs to stop using a bottle by 1 year old plus nursery have them drinking from a sippy cup from 1 too! DS can do it but it's far more messy!

IC Footmuff is something I bought a few months ago and that I'm using a lot already as our nice autumn weather is damp and cold with the high wind.

Need to go and prepare dinner: toad in the hole today!

dd2 managed a piece of bagel and a bit of milk for dinner and then fell asleep on my lap at 6...Poor little thing. dd1 is not feeling too good after her jabs either. This could be a long night... I've stocked up on nurofen and calpol just in case. I hate it when my babies are suffering. It must be the hardest part of being a mother.

Happy Birthday, bethylou, have a wonderful time tomorrow!
Sorry you had such a scare with DS2, but thankfully no harm done. Phew.

Sorry to hear about your DS' finger, chinook and your DD's fever, BG... I hope she'll be back to normal ASAP.

DD didn't nap today after waking up from 1hr10mins at 13.30 - longest she's ever been up without a sleep, erk! I did try and get her to have a little lap-nap recharge, but she wasn't having any. In the end, she made it to bedtime fine, although woke about 20mins after being put down and needed a cuddle to go back to sleep. That's what usually happens if she's overtired. I'm hoping that's ALL that will happen and the rest of the night will be fairly quiet.
Last night she only needed me once before 06.30 (but was fidgeting a lot before and after, so I think she was actually awake for quite a while...) So that was pretty good. My sleep was a bit fitful, but not too bad.

G'night!

BG You don't need bad mummy emoticon. Just a new thermometer. (as do I, my ear one seems to make it up)

Happy birthday Bethylou! Hope you have been spoilt rotten! You deserve it after the whole choking thing. How awful.

Well I am feeling really down today. DD is full of snot, grumpy and clingy. Miserable at baby groups.
Sleeping has gone a bit tits up today and last night. Her cough waking her loads last night and today only managed 50 mins this afternoon so had to take her for a drive or she would never make it through till 7pm. Her nanny was coming over too. Anyway she screamed through nanny's bath. I had to take over. Then she cried for 25 mins when I put her down. (nanny probably thinks we were exaggerating how well we did the CC)

Think her teeth are playing her up again. She still only has the one but we can see others through the front of her gums.

May have an early night tonight....I don't know how to make her feel better. I am worried she is taking too much calpol. Has had a spoon every night for a week now.

Hope all is well with everyone else.

Oops, X-posted... BOTH your DDs, BG. I hope tonight's okay for you all.

Hi Bethylou Been thinking about you today. Really hope you had a good day after all you've been through recently.

LH we've had a few weeks like that (not consecutively, well maybe, who knows it felt like a long time each time). Sometime I feel guilty for taking the easy option, but I don't personally feel there are aftereffects of being generous.

Speaking of teeth, I can see two little white bits, at last, teeth are in sight!

oh and my gift to you because I can't get it out of my enjoy