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.

BG I just love that third photo. She looks such a little baby!!

I am la la la I can't hear you about the 9mSR. I didn't know anything about the 4mSR until I read about it on MN, and then it went and happened. This time I have read nothing about it, and am ignoring it, and so far it has worked.

LITTLE! Then again think every baby DD's age is big

DD still has one feed in the night. She is still BF, but the night feed is a bottle of EMB, when I can be bothered to go downstairs and heat it up (not lately). This was in a (futile, to date) effort to wean her off the night feed.

In my very unscientific sample of 5, 4 out of 5 BF babies are still feeding at night.

Any other BFers out there getting pressure to stop? My mum and older sister are now asking "are you still feeding her....?"

PA well done for the presentation. I would just die of fright. Also good luck for your journey back to the UK.

bethylou fingers crossed your blood tests don't show arthiritis.

LBH your DD is lovely!

Night all, I'm off to bed

BG LBH they are lovely.

Bethylou finger crossed for your visit to the GP.
Looking around me, BF or FF, babies who are not fed at night are bigger/fatter or more developed physically, AND feed properly during the day.
Mine hasn't had a bottle at night (FF) since she has 3 meals a day (6 months?).
(DD1 almost never fed at night, she was BF then FF all day, then slept)
DD2 still wakes up at night though! for 1h30 last night (0h30) continuing her bad "behavior" and up at 5h15. No more "sleep walking" since last week but full wake up , and she won't take the dummy to settle.

IC gaaarrrrhhhh! DD2 is 43 adjusted (I am not doing it though because she is so big if I don't adjust she is back in the charts at least for the weight! ).
I can definitely see some neurological switches turning on!

GF poor DS, hope is rash goes better soon. If you are using reusable nappies you have to bleach and boil them. Spores (bacterial or fungal) can resist one treatment but not both. You might want to put him in disposable for a while so you are sure to avoid cross contaminations (plus leaving the nappies in a very dry place for a while will kill any remaining bugs)

DD2 has her first real rash as well, and it is getting worse (bepanthem and sudocream not helping so my turn to have a trip to the GP!)

DD2 just walking in with the pack of corn flakes very please with herself, better go tidy the kitchen....again...

Lovely pix, LBH!
Your DD is gorgeous - and a definite mischievous glint in her eye!
PS, you can test links in Preview mode, if you're not sure it they're working (!)

Aw, GF, your poor DS! If it's not one thing, it's another...

Fingers crossed, bethylou. This year has been really tough health-wise, for you and the DS', hasn't it?

I think (anecdotally), BF babies tend to wake for overnight feeds for longer than their FF counterparts.
With my DD, I think one feed is genuine, anything else is comfort, really.

Typically, after posting that her sleep had been improving through the 9moSR, she woke 4 times last night

She resettled reasonably quickly after each one, though - so her total awake time was probably no more than the usual one long resettle. I got a little less sleep, of course. But still a functionable amount.

Other possible reasons for the wakefulness: wind (she had dried fruit and lentils for tea.... ) or excitement about her new crawling ability.

BTW, who was it talking about doing EC - ( PA I think??) I've started trying to "cue" DD's poos and had a fair degree of success. She usually goes just after a feed, so that predictability helps. Haven't tried holding her over the loo or anything yet, though!

IC soo cute!

We are on disposable nappies for the moment but I still use reusable for night as the disposables don't contain my heavy wetter.

A bit of snow here too and the sky looks very snowy too. My road is very slippery so for the moment we are stuck at home.

mama I could send you some harissa as it's one of my staple food (bought in France and brought back with us)

bethy hope you'll be okay and glad your DS is settling at nursery.

Another bad dnight here. DS woke up at 2.30am but he was back to sleep and me to bed within 5mn. Not that lucky at 4.30 when he was resettling with my help so I left him to it he fell asleep in a tantrum, then awake again at 5.30 and we started the day at 6.30am. He is now napping

Completely snowed in and it looks very pretty this morning in the sunshine. I had the delight of seeing more heavy snow falling at 3 this morning when we were up with dd1 who was very sick numerous times... Talk about the MN jinx!! I'd only just posted she'd never had a tummy bug...

Well he slept pretty much right through from 7pm (DH had to get up and put a hand on him for a few seconds at some point in the middle of the night) but was up for the day again at 5.15. I fed him and cuddled him in our bed until nearly 6 (I figured it wasn't worth ignoring him since he has never gone back to sleep when he wakes at this time). DH kindly took him downstairs for an hour and let me lie in until just after 7 so I feel BRILLIANT.

I made some shortbread - sat DS in the high chair and got him to feel the flour, wave a wooden spoon around etc. and now he's napping I'm making a load of fishcakes (some to freeze).

Will make caramel for the shortbread when DH gets back from the shops with golden syrup and condensed milk.

I'm starting to fret about the next set of injections at 12 months. I know the MMR is safe, but when I read some threads on here I start to doubt my beliefs.

BG So sorry about poor DD1 being sick. Hope she feels better soon.

GF I'm sorry you had a difficult night. Hope he had a nice long nap this morning.

mamaloco Hope that rash clears up.

Bethylou Good luck at the GPs.

IC love the video. she looks so pleased with herself!!

As usual 20mn naps today. He's now having his 3rd one then it'll be bath time. DS has discovered bath foam and tries to eat it.

We went to the pub for a family lunch and I am now tired (could happily have a rest too). My mum is arriving today hopefully, as due to technical problems it has already been delayed by 5 hours.

IC So cute, she looks so chuffed! My DD is trying so hard and getting so frustrated, I really hope she will crawl soon... for her self-esteem (or mine?)

Bethylou really good luck with the tests. I had tests for the same thing last year as my fingers started swelling around the joints every morning. The test came back negative eventually but tbh I'm still not convinced. My grand-father had terrible arthritis and my hands are still really swollen. I really hope you have a better year.

Well, I am snowed in in West London! My crap pram doesn't move in the snow which made my walk to the park with the dogs a really difficult one! Lovely snowmen in the park, lots of seated figures on benches which is cool... go Acton!

I am watching the news to see if we will be able to leave on Tuesday morning, we are flying to America (I hope!)

I am also trying to figure out how to drive the dogs to kennels.... I'm overwhelmed with all I need to do. I haven't done any Christmas shopping...

Isn't it about time the UK started to adapt to heavy falls of snow? I mean, Austria doesn't grind to a halt every winter, does it?! When are they going to pass a law to say all drivers must have snow-chains? It's the law here in Spain...

Keeping my fingers crossed your flight's OK, Abs and also PA's, coming back the other way tomorrow...

Aw, BG, your poor DD - hopefully it's one of those short-lived bugs and she's feeling better now. And hopefully the rest of the family won't get it. Sounds like your having fun in the snow, though!

Thanks for the compliments on the crawling!

I felt SO proud watching her get the hang of it. It's interesting seeing how she's getting better at negotiating our hard floor etc. and doing things like sitting down or putting her hands out to break her fall when she totters away from the sofa, instead of just crashing over.

Yep, her cruising is improving quickly as well and her legs are getting very strong. She just needs to work on balancing once she's upright... but she pulls herself up with relative ease now, including bending over and pushing herself up from a lower point, rather than just grabbing a higher point to get up.

DH was out much of the day working, so I suggested he do supper and bath with DD to spend some time with her. She was very whingey about it. I have a feeling she was a bit put out about her usual routine being messed with.

Ah...enjoying an apero and listening to Christmas music....feeling quite festive in a relaxed sort of way.

BTW have you tried Glucosamine for the joint pains, Abs and bethy? Loads of people swear by it...

Grr... I keep losing my internet connection and everything I'm trying to post...

Strike while the iron (or internet connection) is hot...

Abs and beth, as IC says glucosamine is good. Try a supplement that also has chondroitin in it and if you're not feeling any benefit after a month, stop taking it and save your pennies.

BC MMR is definitely safe. I've read so many papers on it, and the original paper that shed doubt on it (and the author) has since been discredited. The diseases themelves can be pretty nasty, so it's definitely worth doing.

Wondering if I'm the only one with a DC who hasn't got any teeth?

I'm snowed in too (South London). Just hoping my food deliveries come this week!

DS is sleeping, my mum is arriving and DH and I are getting ready for a black tie night out for my BIL birthday. (Thankfully I still fit in my evening dress that I haven't worn for 4 years! )

I'll be raising a few glasses tonight. Cheers everybody.

Oh, and PA everyone says my DD2 is dinky too. 16lbs at last measuring a week or so ago. Still in some 3-6 month stuff! She's skinny but quite long. I think she's going to be a supermodel .

GF enjoy your evening! And good work on still fitting in the dress!

Oh, and my DD2 gave up night feeds at around three months (but she's FF). I did start them again a couple of weeks ago when she was sleeping badly, but have stopped again now. She has two 5oz bottles a day, and the rest is proper food and water.

I'm going now, I promise!

Hi all!

Well the bloody snow is back with a vengeance. Kent villages are a nightmare. We have the big family Christmas get together tomorrow. Too many of us (his family) to do at someones house for the day so we take over a pub function room. What with DD, her baby twin cousins and their elder brother (16 mo, and 4) it will be busy. But not sure if it is going ahead now. More heavy snow forecast for tonight.

I must say I am exhausted, DP hung over = rubbish. So I have been cooking and cleaning all day. His job was to occupy DD. Not easy, she is everywhere. Getting cocky too. Can crawl fast carrying two toys at the same time. Also pulling herself up to standing with one hand on the arm of the sofa and a toy in the other to give me a big grin. My poor cat Ruby doing her best to get out the way and hide from her.

All I can say to those waiting for the magic crawling to start..when it happens, the progress is sooo fast that then you wish they would stay still!
DP's brother as a baby NEVER crawled. Just got up and started walking!

Abs/PA Hope the flights are ok.

Nightmare snow. About time the government forgot about the cut backs and spent some money on plough/gritters whatever to get the country going. I havent been able to start xmas shopping.

IC DD is sweet, I must say I did read the bit on your blog about the mortal enemies of nap time! I laughed so much as I do EXACTLY the same thing if DD napping in the buggy. Avoiding standing still at crossings etc.
I swore when ambulance went past with it's siren going

I even avoid stopping in the car...approaching red lights slower if I can.
It is bonkers..the things we have to do.

GF DD eats bath foam/fluff/everything

BC caramel for shortbread mmmm!!! Recipe please!!

Mincepies Ignore the pressure to stop BF. Go for it as long as YOU want. I know what the pressure is like..I was nagged at 5 MO.

Bethylou Hope you are feeling better soon. :(

Wow, a lot of posts. I'm assuming flights will be OK as we're not due to land until Monday (with time difference) and I think rain is predicted before then. We'll see, tbh if the flights got cancelled it wouldn't be a bad thing, although I think I would now be disappointed. I've also started tow worry about feeding DD. She'll probably need more milk (As assuming the plane food won't be up to much) and it's impossible to feed her in public. Lots of trips to the loo I guess.

at LBH swearing at the ambulance.

Well i think it's fair to say DD prefers walking to crawling now. Another every 3 hours last night and she as up at 5, unusual for her now. It's normally 6. Poor DH. She has mastered standing up now :) and also suddenly loves other babies, particularly mirror baby. A guaranteed way to make her smile, despite what crying she may be doing. So I've gone back and looked at IC's blog and other videos people have put up, which she has thoroughly enjoyed.

Thanks for the advice IC and Watercress I will give glucosamine and the supplement a try...

Littlebear Very impressed with your DD crawling and carrying things. I can't wait for DD to start crawling even though I know she will be everywhere and it will be exhausting. It's just one of those milestones and she is so close!

I am still BFing my DD and the comments I get used to irritate me.... but I'm over it. When people ask I just say that I will carry on until she is four or five and watch their expressions... it's hilarious!

She wakes up once in the night between 7 and 7. I think she gets woken by teething, noise, habit and she is now used to being fed. I don't really think she needs it as she eats really well during the day, I think it's comfort, habit and convenience. She just loves boob!

Ah, IC I am quite envious of your evening... wish DP was here to do that. Although now that DD is asleep and I'm having a nice glass of wine by the fire... I feel better. Where's my Christmas music?

dd1 just watched in total fascination as dh rewound the film on his ancient camera and took it out to have developed. Made me think how many things our LOs will not know as 'normal'. Like non-digital cameras... Recently when we passed a guy smoking she also exclaimed rather louldy 'What's that funny smell??' Ah, the days of sitting in pubs with streaming eyes due to other people's smoke, and going home smelling vile... Happy days . To our LOs it's going to be normal to have a meal out without being fumigated by the table next to you [bad memories of being 10 weeks pregnant with dd1 and in Munich, trying to eat in the evenings next to chain smokers. Gah... as if I needed an excuse to feel nauseous].

We had a quiet day. dd1 bounced back remarkably quickly after her sick night but dh and I feel pretty awful (it's our advancing age I think.. )

dd2 has decided she is a cat... she's rolled/thrown toys and then crawled after them for a while but now she tries to catch her food, too. She will push/roll something down the table and then pounce on it .
She wasn't too well today either with her cough still quite bad. Seems to sleep quite a lot at the moment (not that I am complaining). She got up at 8, slept from 12 to 3.20 and was desperate to go back to bed at 6ish (I made her look at books etc for a little bit so it was more like 6.20 when she went to bed). Poor little thing. She is very good considering there are at least four molars trying to push through all at once. Oh and she joined in the being sick thing at dinner but it may have been due to her cough. Luckily I had the foresight to feed her something neutral coloured for lunch (ie no tomato sauce or similar). Was a bit when dh took dd1 out and bought her Ribena to cheer her up (rare treat). Just glad it has stayed in so far because that stuff really stains.
Anyway, didn't mean to write an essay....
Night all