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 can't hear you when you talk about this regression! It is not going to happen to DD, I am determined! Her cold seems a little better, and the past few nights we've got away with a resettle 3 to 4-ish and her first feed at 6am. Today I have very daringly frozen all my EBM instead of leaving her 3oz for a nighttime bottle. I've jinxed it, haven't I?

So sorry to hear that your flight was cancelled PA. But it does sound as if you are a bit relieved? Have a wonderful Christmas with your lovely little family .

LBH are you feeling any better today? It is always the way, IME, DD will do a terrible night's sleep before a family do and I will be washed out and grumpy. They ust know, somehow! Please don't feel bad for it. It sounds as if you aren't getting as much support from your DP as you'd like. Have you talked to him about it? Perhaps he's not aware that he's constantly making negative comments instead of suppporting you (I say this because XDP was always putting me down, and when I cited this as part of reason to break up, professed utter surprise - he 'hadn't known' - anyway, you could raise it with him if you haven't already?).

And stoof? How were the carols, they must have cheered you up?

GF how was the black tie do?

DH was ill with D&V all day yesterday, poor man, now I am keeping everything crossed that DD and I will escape. He feels a lot better today, must have been a 24hour thing. He's not allowed to work for 48 hours after D&V (works with food) so he's at home for two days, yay!

It feels very close to Christmas now. But I'm getting very scared that the snow will snarl up our travel plans. Worried....

PA sorry about your cancelled flight. But now you can relax and enjoy your first family Christmas in the Californian sunshine. How lovely.

To those having bad nights, how are you doing? DD2 is a bit wakeful, but last night was a move in the right direction as she didn't need anyone to stay with her when she went to bed, and only had to be patted then sat with when she stirred at 1:30am (so I was only up for 20 minutes). Then she slept until 7:30am.

We're pretty much snowed in here. Our building work has ground to a halt, but I'd rather that than the constant wondering whether someone is going to turn up, and worrying that they are going to skid or crash on the way. I have both DDs with me as pre-school has broken up, but it's actually going OK!

Right, better go and rescue my Christmas biscuits from the oven!

Just driven the dogs to kennels... what a nightmare. Left DD at home with the CM who was brilliant. People idiots still driving at 100mph and tail gating despite crap weather conditions and slush all over the road. Very scary but it's done. Felt bad as they are in small cramped kennels, they've had to close their outdoor run because of the snow...

Might go and pick them up again tomorrow as I don't think we'll be flying... I spent an hour and forty minutes on the phone to American Airlines but never managed to speak to anyone. We're leaving from Heathrow terminal 3 which is now shut to passengers as there is too much congestion... don't have a Christmas tree yet and DP is in New Zealand, flying back on Thursday... could be a very lonely Christmas... Oh well, I'll just have to eat mince pies..

Oh Abs that does sound rubbish. Is there anyone nearby you can spend Christmas day with? Or at least meet up with for a few hours?

But then maybe your other half will make it back. You never know...

Oh Abs that's awful! Keeping my fingers and toes crossed that your dp at least makes it home

abs :(

Oh Abs PA sorry that your Christmas plans have/may failed.

The black tie due was great. Drunk far too much (very upset stomach yesterday) and didn't fall out with anybody (that I can remember)

Back to gp today as dS done an allergic reaction to the cream prescribed to cure his nappy rash So I got a new cream and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

IC I would advised you to get some kind of entertainment for the car (mobile, musical belt...) as my DS can deal with long distances as long as he's not bored.

Nightmare, Abs.... Yep, main thing is that your DP makes it back in time for Christmas. Everything crossed for you.

I love that pic, BG - wonder if she'll still be as helpful when she hits her teens?!

Thanks for the advice, GF (you raver, you!)! I sit in the back with DD and basically pass her toys/snacks/pull faces/sing songs....you name it, everything I can think of to keep her amused. The last time we did a long drive, she was 7 months and sleeping every two hours. Now she can stay awake for 3-4 hours, it'll be a bit more of a challenge. But we can always stop for a bit if she gets too fed up.

DD's naps were both a bit rubbish, today. But last time that happened she slept really well overnight, so who knows? She's already woken once, about 45mins after going down, which is a classic thing she does when a bit overtired. We shall see what the night brings.

I took DD to Baby Deli today to stock up on some bits and save faffery with making/storing babyfood when we're at my mum's. I'm still reeling slightly from the shock of the final bill. Ouch.

boo abs that sounds cack? fingers crossed

Flight cancelled so still here!!!
At least I checked the website at midnight and saw that it had been cancelled so we didn't go to the airport...

DP and I are keeping are fingers crossed that he makes it back from New Zealand via Hong Kong...

And off I go back to kennels to pick up the dogs!

Last night was such a nightmare. Had my younger sister round for dinner, was chatting to her at the kitchen sink, just washing up, when a mouse came running towards me on the counter top! I screamed (yes like a girl!) and it ran off, and another two ran across the skirting board... it was complete chaos! Suddenly there were five mice in the kitchen, one on the window sill, one in the mince pie box I'd just bought... one in the dog bowl. I was completely terrified! I called pest control and they were prepared to come over (at a cost of £110).... but I bailed out at the last minute because they use glue traps and the idea of a load of mice sitting on glue for two weeks while I'm away really put me off....

Anyway, we spent the evening wiping down surfaces with dettol and I threw out all my food (thinking I was going away of course!!!) Now I'm here with no food... but determined to keep my spirits up so off to buy a tree after kennels! Does it ever stop?

Abs

Oh dear Abs! We get the occasional mouse and find that white chocolate buttons are the best bait for traps...

Fingers crossed your DP makes it back. Is he flying into LHR or LGW?

I can't put it better than BG, Abs...

Ditto!

Puts my own woes into perspective... Running short on Lebkuchen ... feeling a bit stuck at home because the car is snowed in, pushchair no good, walking difficult too, and dd2 is too fat big to fit in the baby bjorn carrier in her snowsuit, dd1 hasn't got suitable footwear for close to 10 inches of snow.... Our walking boots and bushbaby carrier are conveniently in the Midlands and most of our scarves and gloves seem to have migrated there too.
Oh, and latest news, dd2 has had teeth 9,10,11 and 12 all at once in the past two days (her first molars, so BIG teeth). She's a star for complaining as little as she did.
People around here seem to start panic buying (or having unusual numbers of guests for Christmas). I saw a woman carrying three packs of 18 toilet rolls yesterday!!

Yes, but running short of Lebkuchen is SERIOUS, BG...

That's a lot of teeth! I can see two suspiciously molar-like lumps on DD's lower gum, although the two lateral incisors haven't come through yet. Pretty sure they're also on the way, though. She's been okay with teething so far, but molars...? We shall see...

IC may be a good thing . Without the chance to go out much and walk anywhere my muffin top appears to have grown even before Christmas...

Oh Abs..are things any better? What an up and down time.

DD only got two teeth still....wish they would bloody hurry up!

LBH but two teeth is so cute! I wish dd had kept just two for longer rather than growing a mouthful of them in just three months...

DD is teething a little bit again, not sure if ones are coming through or just general preamble. She's been a bit chompy but not too bad. Yesterday when she was nattering whilst latched on, I decided to take her off and give her my finger instead. I was on tenterhooks for a few moments there.

LBH we still have two teeth as well and they're even fully out yet

Oh sorry about your xmas plans abs. Hope you get lots and lots of cuddles from LO on the day

BG your LO clearly has my DD2s teeth as well as her own! Still no sign of anything here! But I'm still loving the toothless grin (even more so now she's learnt to clap - she even has a one-handed air clap sussed out for when she wants to clap while crawling).

We're going to Disneyland for xmas day, staying in a Hilton hotel for two nights on a romantic package but DH likes that stuff and have view out to Disneyland to watch the fireworks.

A bit pricey, but hopefully worth (provided this storms passes). I know DD won't remember it, but I think it should be a fun atmosphere, especially in the poshish hotel and breakfast delivered to the room. :)

Sorry for all those with delayed or cancelled plans .

PA I think you have a better deal now! Long howl with a walking baby I can imagine the nightmare. Even if your DD was only half as active as mine, it would still be exhausting (especially if your DH just sit and read the paper or snore like mine)...

watercress cute!

IC when we travelled with DD1, we made most of the trip while she was sleeping and stopped, played and ate as soon as she was awake. So all in all following her natural routine through the day (most of the trip at night time). Of course swearing at fire engines for having their sirens on! I have always sat in the front of the car.

DD2 have a mild D&V. 1 V and few liquid poos. She is already getting better. Some disturbed sleep though and a massive nap on me.
Her rash seems to get better after the pead. prescribed some cortisone cream (hope she won't develop eczema like DD1), the D&V not helping!

GF hope your DS is better now.
BG I think our DDs are linked for teething. Only 11 teeth here, the 12 one is going to be a nightmare I am sure!

Morning all. Only three days to go, I can't believe it. And DD is 10 months old today .

Abs any news from your DP, will he make it home? I am very for you. This bloody weather .

DD and I did come down with the D&V bug of course. I spent yesterday shuttling from the bed to the bathroom, and thanking heaven that DH was off work to look after DD. WHile I felt dreadful, it didn't seem to affect DD at all, she seemed perfectly normal between vomits . Her last vomit was about 10pm last night. I'm not sure when I should start her on solids again? All she had yesterday was BM.

I was due to have a mini-Christmas with my best friend today but she's cancelled as she doesn't fancy picking up our D&V bug. Fair enough. So I can catch up on all the things I was meant to do yesterday. Off I go then...

Hello everyone ... Only joking!

Well, the situation is crap complicated. DP is on his way to Hong Kong now and we shall see if he can fly in to Heathrow. The problem is we are trying to rebook our flights for the 27th which should give DP time to get here and for us to have Christmas... but the airline are charging us for a new ticket for DP because they say it's a voluntary change ... Our flight was cancelled so they are willing to rebook that or give us a refund. They don't want seem to understand that DP doesn't want to take his connecting flight to Boston tomorrow because we have been grounded and he'd like to spend Christmas with us here rather than wait in some hotel for us to arrive...

I have managed to dig out our Christmas decorations and tree stand, and DD and I are going to venture out later in search of a small tree. I wonder if anyone will offer to help us carry it home? It's so slippery and there is slush everywhere...

The good news is that my neighbour is going to bring his cat in while we are away to see if he can keep the mice at bay. I have been stuffing holes with tin foil because apparently they hate that. I don't want to put traps down until I know what we're doing... and I'm building humane traps. I know I'm weird but I just can't kill things .

My DD also has two bottom teeth and has done for ages. They are hilarious. She looks like a cartoon baby. No sign of any others yet.

Sorry for those of you with D&V bugs, that is rubbish. My sister was staying for a few days but she had to leave after a night because she came down with a chest infection and a fever, and I think she realised that I can't look after her as well as DD, the dogs, the mice...

Right, off to do stuff... ho! ho! ho!