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.

IC I missed the link to your video. She looks so sweet and yay for crawling.

With regards to people nagging me to stop breastfeeding, the only culprit is my mother. I've said that I plan to carry on until DS is about 2. She says something about how horrible that is about every other time I see her. This time she said it made her think of David Wallams (as in 'I want bitty'). I told her it wasn't up for discussion so she said something along the lines "I wasn't being nasty". Yeah, right. I said if she was interested in my reasons I could print off a lot of evidence for her, that the global average age for stopping is 4 years something, what the health benefits are and that hardly any babies would self wean before a year and a half at least. I used to act defensive but I'm prepared for her crap now, but I do stew over why she won't just shut the fuck up after I've held my ground so many times. It's not like she didn't breastfeed me - I was BFd until just over a year old.

LBH This is the recipe I use www.independent.ie/lifestyle/food-drink/millionaires-shortbread-with-rosemaryinfused-salted-caramel-2160966.html but I only put 180g of butter in the shortbread, not 200 (I found the mixture was far too wet with 200g) and I baked it for about 20 mins longer than she says. It's the only sweet thing I can make (apart from tiramisu). It's dead easy and tastes lovely.

We had a blocked loo today. Thankfully DH has fixed it, but he's scraped and discoloured the inside with his plumber's mate. He bought a medium sized christmas tree in a pot home on the bus today. He said he got some funny looks. He is scatty. When I'm in a good mood it is delightful, when I'm in a bad mood it's infuriating.

My friend from my postnatal group came over today with her little girl who was born mid-March. She can say "hiya!" clear as day and walked three steps across my living room. She's amazing. They bought DS a little velour superman costume. I must get pics.

This article made me spit my tea out today www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/dec/18/television-talent-children-alice-douglas I don't know if it has been discussed elsewhere on mumsnet as haven't had a chance to look around today but I expect it has.

We're due to drive up to in-laws in Norfolk tomorrow. Hope the roads are ok.

argghh I just went and looked at the Heathrow website. Ignorance bliss no longer. I'm thinking if it's cancelled, we should just rebook for February instead of waiting around finding out more info.

Watercress I know rompers are quite big, but DD still fits in her 0-3month ones. For the most part she's in 3-6 (dresses, trousers, tops) /6-9 (vests and babygros) although I think the bigger clothes are only because her nappies are so big and when we run she fits into the 3-6 happily enough :)

Wow Bearcrimble that is quite nauseating. It makes me want to throw my tv out the window! Surely one can be musical and have a career as a musician without pandering to celebrity culture... those poor kids!

BC My mum is the same about the breastfeeding issue and to be honest, I think she is more worried about what other people think. I was more appalled by the nurse who gave DD her jabs at four months, she said "I bet you'll be one of those hippy mums who lets their four year old just lift up her top and help herself!" DD was only four months old and I was already getting comments!

BG I really hope your DDs get better...

Night night all...

at abs. I've not had any comments about BF (might do at xmas) so pretty lucky. I think I might do what you say and if they ask just admit outright sometime between 4 and 7 years old in a very plain matter of fact way.

I'm stuck in the X-ray room for the afternoon I love you all hence multiple bored posts .

We love you too, PA!

BC, that article made my stomach heave a bit the moment I realised she'd called her kids "Tybalt" and "Hero". I used to give Shakespearan names to my tropical fish, so I guess I shouldn't regard anyone else as pretentious for doing the same (albeit with their children...)

Yes, LBH, I thought a lot of other parents (and other itinerant pram and buggy-pushers) would identify with that post!! I always feel bad about peevishness toward emergency vehicle sirens, but can't help it!
"Stop yelling, you'll wake my baby!"
"But my leg just fell off..."
"I don't care. She needs her sleep."

Funnily enough, when I tell people I'm still breastfeeding, they tend to nod approvingly - especially once I clarify that she's eating solids as well. Different attitude in Spain, I guess. In one of the earlier blogs I talk about how total strangers, on seeing me with Rosie, would ask if I was breastfeeding her...
I think my own mum's a bit envious about the breastfeeding as she tried to BF me back in 1970, but it didn't work out. No support in those days, bottle was king.

Love the description of your DD2 being a cat, BG!!

Smoking - they still do it almost everywhere here in Spain. It makes life difficult when we want to go out and take Rosie as only a minority of restaurants, bars and cafes forbid smoking. Luckily one of the cafes that does so is in our neighbourhood and the staff there are lovely, so we like to go there for a cuppa and a pastry once in a while.

Fingers crossed for your flights, ladies....

morning IC (can't sleep but never can before travelling)

one of many My previous post was suppose to read 'if she runs short'

Heathrow is basically shut all day and temperatures are predicted to be below freezing Monday (planned arrival). tbh I think we'll reschedule anyway as we have a lot of driving planned and it sounds nasty over there. Will ring the ILs in the morning and see how they feel about it.

I still don't know what to make of that article, but never like it when people make such public articles about their children

Ok, it's -4 and foggy and everything is still covered in about 8 inches of snow... All very pretty but I've now had enough so can someone take it away please? Told you I'd get fed up.
dd2 was sick in her sleep yesterday evening and seemed surprised when I held her upside down under the tap to wash her hair at midnight... She had a fetching hairstyle sporting bits of carrot and cauliflower . I had wisely given her just rice with vegetables for dinner and she ate little, so no real damage done. She then spent a few minutes in front of a log fire having her hair dried by dh while I changed her sheets. It's seems a minor bug compared to what some of you have been suffering from, so I can't complain. I spent yesterday feeling quite nauseous (reminded me of early pregnancy...) but have been okay.

PA feel for you... the uncertainty about flights etc is awful. Hope your family does not get too upset if you decide to rebook.

Do I detect a teeny bit of relief, PA??

Hope Family Giraffe are all feeling better today...

...I wonder how many snow babies are going to be born next August/September... Tehehe...

www.flickr.com/photos/26339121@N00/5273494289/ Off to the in laws! xx

So....the 46 week thingy...
(I'm probably busting all sorts of copyright things posting this, ahem...)

Here's what's happening, apparently:

With this leap, your baby discovers that events are handled in sequences. Eating porridge with a spoon for example, means grab the spoon, put the spoon in the porridge, scoop some porridge on the spoon, bring the spoon to your head and put it in your mouth (not in your eye). The entire sequence "eating porridge with a spoon" is still too difficult for your baby, but he understands that two or three events occur in sequence, such as: 'grab the spoon, put it in the porridge, and push it down". You get an incredible mess if you let this happen. But with a cover under the chair and a lot of patience your baby learns to handle ever more complex sequences. The routine of having a snack, brushing teeth, changing diaper for the night, listening to a song in mother's lap, then bedding down in the crib, may become one very familiar sequence. If you change the order, your baby may protest.

Playtime!
Your baby want to do things by himself. He wants to help with cleaning, with dressing, at dinnertime, walking the dog. Give him the opportunity and make it a game. Songs that challenge him to move fascinate him. A favorite is the ?pointing game?. Ask him where his nose is, and let him point to his nose. This game is gratis and you can play it anywhere!

This Leap
Your baby has made it through his seventh mental development leap and he is almost a year old! He was born a short year ago. Now your baby 'talks', understand things, laughs at jokes and knows the ins and outs of your family. We wish you much fun on his first birthday, a day to remember!

So now we know

Lovely pic, BC! Great smiles - both of you!

BC Awwww...
Has anyone's baby slept too much? Before you go I am actually worried!dd2 went to bed at 6.20 last night, slept to past 8 this morning, then again from 11.30 until I woke her at 3.30 because she spooked me so much. I know she is under the weather a bit but how much is too much...?

BG Don't worry DD1 was like that. If ill she slept almost all day and night. If when awake your DD is normal (can be whinging more but IKWIM) all is fine. If she is floppy, unresponsive then go to a GP.

Thanks mamaloco you are right and I guess it's a good thing when the sleep as much as possible when they are ill (better than crying). She's been quite cheerful this afternoon and has just beamed at being allowed to empty the dishwasher with me and pass me the cutlery . Happiness for dd2 is when the dishes are done
How is everyone else coping with snow, cold, travel, run up to Christmas? [sending round mulled wine, port, mince pies, stollen and lebkuchen

Got 3 hrs sleep last night. DD constant waking. I think it maybe teeth. I just don't know anymore.

She has only had half hr nap this morning.
We had family do today. Suprise suprise, she wouldn't sleep.

Been told off for looking miserable and like i didn't want to be there.

I feel a failure today.

Dreading tonight.

"Other people manage" apparently.

I saw your other thread LBH.

Who told you that, DH? If so, he can the night shift next time. If anyone else, I hope you told them what did they expect after a bad night.

We've decided not to leave for the airport even though the flight hasn't been cancelled....yet. Don't want to risk waiting around for hours or ending up in wrong country. Can't get through to the airline so wonder how expensive moving flights will be.

Aw, LBH, one step forward, half a step back. It'll get better, but you may have to weather a few weeks of crapola sleep again. Can DH help at all? At least take her first thing so you can get a lie-in?
You're not a failure - you're just knackered.

mmmmm...Lebkuchen...

I have to say, Germans really know how to do Christmas....

oh balls?. DS has just completely refused his bed time bottle? i'm in a foul temper after i went to the medicine cupboard to get some nurofen and a bottle of buttercup syrup fell out on my head.. DH has put up with me being a moody cow for a week now, but i'd started feeling better - then today he's been a grump and i'm back where i started, bless him

bleaurgh

me me me sorry

tis DD's first christmas carols concert tom morning? better have cheered myself up by then? night night

Stoof DD so overtired refused her bottle too.

Sleep tight :)

Fingers crossed we'll all have a good night sleep. Good luck.

It's official, the flight was cancelled (sometime after us leaving the airport so cost the transport fee in the end).

Good to know one way of the other and have sent DH out for take out, yum!

PA for you but at least you know. It's just started snowing again...

Morning!

Ah well, PA, at least you know the score now. Enjoy an intimate Christmas - might be less stressful than with the in-laws, anyway!

We're driving into SW France to spend Christmas with my mum - setting out on Thursday. It'll be around 9 hours of driving time plus stops, so probably around 12 hours in total. Fingers crossed DD will be okay with it. She's not one of those handy babies who falls asleep the minute you switch on the car engine, unfortunately.
The weather looks okayish, luckily.

Three wake-ups again last night, feeds then fast-ish resettles and up again at 06.45. A consistent pattern for the last three nights. A shame to lose the single wake-up we had been on, but if this is as bad as the sleep regression's going to get, then that's okay.

Hmm...time to get organised for the buggy nap...laters!

Happiness a la dd2