Dec 2008 - Hello 2011 the Year of the Toddler!

[DeidreBarlow]

Totally unispired but hope you all find it...

Well day 1 at school was a great success. DD1 was so relaxed and confident. DH, DD2 and I all walked her into the playground where she was told to line up with the other new Reception children and she never really looked back. After she marched in to the classroom I noticed a window I could look through and I had a few tears as I watched her take her coat off and start to play, but I was also really proud. When I picked her up she seemed very happy, she said "There were no scary bits Mum, only best bits". She suddenly seemed so grown-up back home as she showed me her reading books and spelling words. So I cried again!

Lady - where are you thinking of in Egypt? I have spent quite a lot of time on the Red Sea coast. However, I used to go for diving and recently there have been shark attacks. Nevertheless your post inspired me to search for Feb half-term deals. The cheapest I can find is about £500 per head for a week. Have you found better?

Spot - its great to hear from you. I am sorry that feeding has proved problematic again. As others have said you need not feel the slightest iota of guilt. Do whatever you need to do to allow yourself to enjoy your second born son.

Can I ask you guys how much your toddlers are sleeping now? My friend's two year old had just dropped her nap and I am a bit terrified as I am not ready for that. However, DD2 didn't nap today (my choice - we were out) and she was fine this evening. Not grumpy at all. I did put her to bed at 6.30pm but it made me question whether she needs the nap now or whether she is about to drop it. On a normal day she sleeps 7pm-7am and has about 60-90mins at lunchtime.

Avo I've got this dilemma with DS2 at the moment he is asking for a sleep at 11-11.30 and is sleeping solidly until 2. If I wake him mid nap he gets grumpy and tends to be grumpy most of the afternoon. However, tonight is a good example of him clearly sleeping too much during the day. He has just now gone to sleep, 9pm our time, and it was a real struggle. He had a very active afternoon as we went to a his best friends house and he played hard, so I don't think its because its winter and he's less active. Basically not helpful for you but wanted to let you know your not the only one.

I'm so shattered, I am so unfit. I used to feel tired like this after I had done a 10 to 18 mile run, today I ran 5 km on a treadmill and very slowly. I used to run for nearly 3 hours, today I ran for 40 mins. So so unfit. Sad.

Avo, I have been looking for quite some time online. I have to tell you we necessarily have to find somewhere sooperdooper cheap and the absolute cheapest by a country mile (I have had my ear to the ground on this for weeks) is teletextholidays.co.uk We have to go half term week (weekend of 19 Feb, though I realise that isn't half term everywhere) cos that's how it's worked out for DP's work. SO for 14 nights all inclusive (doesn't matter if the food isn't up to snuff as we don't have to eat it all the time if we don't wish to)...£306 per person. Actually, with all the add ons it comes to about £1250 but still very cheap. I thought Luxor was lovely and I expect Sharm will be sadly rather trashy (DP has been there to dive a couple of times and said as much) but I don't expect the moon on a stick, just want to be able read out of doors with a t shirt on and just have a bit of lazy sunny time with DP and the girls. I do normally like to do interesting stuff on hols ans used to eschew package hols but not any more and with two such small children I am looking for something more low key. You must look on the website, it's half the price of all the other cheapy ones.

So glad DD1 had a good day. As for naps, DD1's routine probably sounds a bit mad. She sleeps 8.30 until 8.30 or more, and has a nap around 3.30 for a couple of hours. Occasionally she misses that nap if we are out, but still really needs it.

Vag, however unfit you say you are, you are Usain Bolt in comparison to me and I need to change.

Don't think DD1 is going to be the star of toilet training either but I have heard people say that it's much easier to do it when they are ready, so if she ain't ready for yonks, so be it! Given that she left off the walking until 22 months, I won't be holding my breath

Ooh, sorry bout DS's black eyes, Rubes! Sounds sore. And no worries about the passport, we are glad to help.

Ooh, must go, DD2 crying

No no Vag I am unfit. 40 mins? I used to run that 3 days a weeks in the 3 months leading up to my wedding - (and 3 months was IT) - 40 mins I was at my peak I haven't done my workout today and I'm still aching! I have to do 2 tomorrow

DS sleeps (on a normal day) 7pm (well in bed then) till 7am also, and has a nap of about 90 mins on average early afternoon - he's very similar to yours Avo. If we are out or just generally behind at home and it creeps later, it doesn't make a scrap of difference for the morning wake up time, although if he sleeps longer than 90 mins in the day it can majorly affect things over night.

Lately though, the nappy leakage and central heating issues have really affected it.

Got Yasmin from the GP but she wasn't my usual and was a bit of a cow of course, and gave me the real run around before she would prescribe it. Wants me to come in and have a check of the uterous and ovaries to make sure nothing else is causing the bleeding doubt it - wants me to keep a diary of when and how much bleeding (yeah right poor dd isn't even in a routine with feeds I can't keep track of that!) Wants me to wait until next period to start new pill but how will I know when that is!!! she says just start it at the next time it starts at around 28 days
dh says oh screw that just start it now as it's all the same and you can double up etc
Anywho - I just want the bloating to stop! I'm like a baloon this week.

Great news on dd's first day Avo - she was so cute in her photo.

Oh lady that price is good, esp for school hols. DH and I went on a live-a-board scuba trip off Sharm years ago. We only spent an overnight stay in an all inclusive place and while DP is right the city itself is a bit dire the place we were in was actually ok and that is back in the days when we really weren't into that sort of place, like you say. We've decided against a trip and just do a fee days at a centerparcs here. Have a swim and let the kids run about. We are a bit tied at the moment as we need to not spend too much on holidays in case DHs brother finally decides to get married in the next few months. The good news is, a old friend of DHs is getting married next Jan in Malaysia so we are definitely going there next year Hooray. We are thinking of going for 2 weeks and paying for our mums to meet us there.

Meant to add Rubes we don't have any fights with teeth brushing and nappy changes have def improved, BUT trying to get the child dressed is like trying to hold down a cat and dress it! Pure nightmare parenting. Some days I leave him in his PJs until bathtime, then just put him in a new set of jammies.

Lady very sweet that you compare me to Usain Bolt, though I don't think Mr Bolt would be cringing in pain when he walks down stairs or have to deal with embarrassing chafing, yes I have chaffing, clearly my rear end is too big.

Right that's 3 I'm orf night night ladies.

Oh will just quicky add, the BF desperation has suddenly stopped for DS2 and he is being quite lovely and so much more fun for 2 days in a row. Im actually wandering if he was a little under the weather and was needing the mook mook due to that. Oh well he's all good now, so will just continue on with his 2 a day for now. Thanks for you thoughts anyway ladies. Kiwi, your young lady does sound as determined as my DS2 but as she is a DD she has the hell hath no fury...element too. I have a lot of people telling me I just have to let him cry...then they hear him cry and they beg me to make him stop. Then they understand. It is not a cry meant for delicate ears.

avo - lovely to hear about dd1's first day at school - madam now sleeps (and i cannot believe she'd ever sleep at all) from 8pm-7am and has anything from 20 mins - 2 hours nap. if she's in her cot, she'll generally sleep for 1.5-2 hours, but she can go completely without, and if well managed it doesn't upset her too much. she has had a few days of not napping (yelling "no sleep mummy" after 20 mins after putting her down - so i give in), but after a day or two of it, she really does need, and enjoys an afternoon nap. hope that helps.

spot - you poor lamb. it must be terrible to really want to do something, but have it be so difficult. please please give yourself a break if you need to.

vg - so sad to hear about your friends.

Oh I've totally done that Vag with the PJ's -actually I do that with myself at times Always when you don't want visitors though that's when everyone calls in unannounced

dh went to Sharm diving AGES ago (2003 I think) he just keeps saying it's really hot! Hotel wise depends where you are staying some lovely and some a real dive. he was there with his ex when she wasn't so I won't ask anymore

right we are shattered - bed I think at the earliest time ever! I've just had a scoop of ice cream with mint Bailey's all over it - heaven

Avo lovely to hear DD1 did so well today. A credit you that she is so confident.

Vag I hear you on the ache. I swam 20 lengths last night and feel rubbish today.

Hmmm well sleeping as you know for DS2 is an issue. I can't get him to nap in his bed during the day. An hr if putting him back in for 20mibs sleep. So I have relaxed on daytime sleeps. He has 45 mins either in the sling, car or buggy. But never more than an hour or after 2pm. Other wise he is up and down and we end up screeching at him.

Rubes poor DS with a black eye.

Crap day here in the most literal sense. Came downstairs thus morning to a poorly dig kitchen floor in a mess. Then more later then both boys have been pooing all day. Looking for a fresher non bleach/poo smelling day tom.

jam that does not sound like the best of days!

lady I have never been to Sharm. My parents have been twice for a bit of 'winter sun'. Stayed both times in a 5 Star AI. One was fabulous the other completely shabby. Trip Advisor is always my best friend when looking for hotels!

vag I went for a run last night in just over half an hour I barely managed 3K, before Xmas I could at least manage 5K. I have really achey hips this morning too. But at least we are all trying eh??

rubes Poor DS' eye. Hope it doesn't look too bad today.

AVO DS similar here with nap. He usually goes to bed at 7pm, and sleeps till 6.30-7am. Some days he naps after lunch for anywhere up to 2 hours but somedays nothing if we are out etc. He's usually okay. I have tried to make sure he doesn't sleep past 3pm,as this usually means he is reluctant to go to bed at night.

Oh and last night he went his bed awake, no fuss, no tears and slept soundly all night!

And Avo, your DD looked adorable in her uniform. I have found that my DD has gotten so old in the few months she has been at school. She has also developed a real attitude. Proper hand-on hips 'don't talk to me like that Mummy', kind of attitude!

Jam: I hope your day has been poo-free so far.

Avo: sounds like DD1 will be a roaring success at school :).

Deids: some of you are trying to get fit, others of us accidentally bought a massive box of chocs in the Thorntons sale. Oops.

Nap-wise, DS2 has always napped in the buggy or cuddled with me or DH, but he is starting to drop it now. If we're out after lunch he'll have half an hr or so but that's it. He sleeps from 7-8 pm till 6:30-8 am.

Good lord just read back my post from last night. I know my spelling is regularly atrocious but last night takes the biscuit. Must not post from iphone.

3 POOS SO FAR THIS MORNING. None from me. Yet.

Trying to ignore DD1 in the nicest possible way, so she learns to play on her own. She's getting a bit better at it. Kind of reached end of tether yesterday when I went for a poo and she insisted on sitting on my knee. Not easy to concentrate with that going on. She is now playing with her pop up book and singing "Wotty Wotty Wotty" from the Channel 5 show, the Wot Wots. Which I love!

Re Sleep - DD1 still has a sleep from about 12.30 for 1-1.5 hours, depending on how lazy I'm feeling. She usually sleeps from about 7pm - 7.30am, which is great. In fact, last night she slept through for the first time in weeks without needing a cuddle. She looks much better for it. And I think I do too. DD2 was fed at 10.30 by DH, then woke up screaming at 11.30. I'd gone to bed at 10 and woke up to deal with her. She did a massive burp and a gollop of sick and settled back down. To my delight, it was only 11.30 - I thought it was about 3am, so I slept solidly til 7.15 am! Brilliant. And the littles didn't get up til 7.45, so could have a shower and get myself ready for the day before the woke up. Marvellous day! Off to singing classes in half an hour. YEEHAH!

iphone back from menders tomorrow. Being sent special delivery. Am meant to be out in the morning and DH is going for a 20k run, so I might miss it, then I wouldn't be able to get it back til Monday. What to do??! Normally I'd sack my morning meet up with a friend, but she's moving to the States on 10th forever!!! EEK!

Avo - your DD looks so sweet in her uniform. And I am loving her shoes. They are proper trendy!!!

Wow Beans that is some good sleeping! V glad to hear it can be done with 2...Thanks for keeping us posted on the poo situation, I can report there have been 0 so far in the spot household today which is not great on the DS2 front, but fine for all of us.

Avo you must be so proud, loved the FB pic of DD1 in her uniform. As others have said, all credit to you for bringing up such a secure little girl.

Sleep here on the T front (can't call him DS1 however hard I try!) is atrocious, can't work out if he's got another ear thing (keeps pulling one ear), is getting back molars or is just struggling. He doesn't get to bed before 9pm and wakes about 5 times in the night, wanting milk and cuddles. He looks terrible in the day, really pasty and tired and he actually seems depressed by the whole baby thing. Did any of you have trouble with withdrawn and sad behaviour from your DC1s at the start? If so, how did you handle it? It just breaks my heart to see him so sad, and all his little friends keep pushing him away when he tries to kiss them, which set me off big time yesterday. .

On the no-name DS2 front, things going much better, am obviously dead on my feet from lack of sleep but he's doing so well, I'm managing to give him about 2/3 expressed feeds to every one formula one and he's sleeping well too. I'm expecting a MW appt this morning and hoping he'll have put on weight. He's still a bit yellow but how can he get any daylight with the weather like this? Am v desperate to avoid a 24hr trip to scubu which is what they threatened me with last time if he didn't start pooing more and putting on weight.

Have been lurking in the middle of the night while pumping my hooters like a proper heifer (there's something about the aqua coloured hospital pump that is very veterinary) - am v amused by the fitness chat. I have left the house once since Ds2 was born and that was to the bf clinic in the car. So Lady you are the Asafa POwell to my couch spud.

Ooh, winter sun . Some day...

On the nappy front, T regularly soaks through his nappy at night, because he's had several top ups, but am just dealing with the soiled PJs rather than addressing the issue. As for toilet training. Hahahaha. DP mentioned that T would have a potty later this year. T understood that as a 'party' and started clapping and dancing yelling "Thomas party" over and over.

Oh, and does anyone have any recommendations for baby bouncy chairs that aren't too £££. Am determined to spend the least money on gear this time as I wasted so much before, but I think I need something that I can keep him in where T doesn't try to kiss him and fall right into him (as happened this morning) or give him a present (a plastic boat in the eye last night).

Oh and I wanted to say I am v sorry Urbane for your loss over Christmas. so .

Morning all! Been cheered to read the nappy changing meltdown thing is common - DD will sometimes be fine (usually when she decides to announce to the entire world that she's pooed, highlight being her insisting on telling the manager of a cafe when we were in Germany, "Man! I pooed! I pooed man!"

Mind you, DD is increasingly having some positively EPIC tantrums over all sorts of stupid things. Anything from us turning the light on (or off) to giving her the wrong spoon. Anyone else got a tantric tantrum toddler??

Very fast as I have to get ready to go to MIL's for the weekend.......She is back from Aust. The good thing is we are having lunch with my Mum on the way back on Sun so that will keep me sane.

Spot: I think you sound very like your normal self, which is amazing given it is so soon. Just wanted to say that O was really sad and angry about DD2 for a good two or three weeks. It took tons of attention, cuddles, reassurance and patience. After a couple of months though she seemed to be happy with it all. She loves DD2 now. Still gets a tiny bit annoyed if she can't get on my lap when I am feeding DD2, but nothing much really.

DB, I am also a big fan of Trip Advisor BUT I do find that so many people on there are so fussy and ridiculous about holidays (and borderline xenophobic) so am inevitably pleasantly surprised when I get to a place! I wish there was a way of filtering out the reviews of the unreasonable types! Because you can pick up some good info.

Oooh, must dash...have lovely weekends all xxx

kiwi DS often has a meltdown over the silliest thing. Putting his sandwich on DD's Kung-Fu Panda plate once nearly resulted in him needing therapy so traumatic it was for him

spot Things seem to be easing up a bit for you which is great news. let us know how DS2 gets on with the MW. Fingers crossed he has put on weight. And poor T, DD started with really bed tantrums when DS was born...she also went very keen on Daddy and not so keen on me. But she came around after a few weeks and realised DS wasn't going anywhere.

Have just had a massive clearout of the DC's clothes...DD in particular seems to have an obscene amount for a 4 yr old.

Ha ha lady I know what you mean about Trip Advisor..."I was shocked to find the hotel had a large number of german/spanish/whatever people staying" . Really in a hotel? In Europe? Whatever next

Glad to hear the bowels are working at the House of Beans. Can your friend come over to your house instead or call the phone people and see if they will give you a time?

Hello Spot, Sounds like you are getting slightly more sleep.
I did kind of the opposite in that with ds I was handed down a lot of things from a friend of a friend and I've been through 2 bouncy chairs that had all the kicky play things music and vibration, but sold the last one on eBay as decided to buy dd a new one which had no bells and whistles and great reviews. She LOVES it and bounces herself really really high. It's the Baby Bjorn so not cheap though. Are you any closer to a name?

Jam hope the dog feels better soon

Deids great news on the sleeping situation.

DS slept 7pm-745am so I am very happy. I had the heating up too high for us though and woke with a thumping headache. Put a size 5 nappy on him and a pair of those Pampers Underjams over the top and no leaks yay!

DS's eye looks not too bad this morning - bit blue and puffy but he'll be ok.
Swimming starting back up next week DS starts level 4 and DD has her first lesson! I'm so excited she has a new swimming costume which is so cute. She loves her bath and lounges on her bath support like she's at some resort on a lilo waiting for her
pina colada, so I bet she'll love swimming. " lessons in one day though - I feel tired thinking about it!

Right, must post as I've been typing this off and on for ages

Oh spot...bouncer chair. DS had a vibrating one from Mothercare, only about £25 I think, he loved it!

oh yes and tantrums over tiny things - def. He's always undecided whether he wants to feed himself or me to help him and I usually do the wrong thing first time around and he goes mental. Oh and if I close a cupboard door or a draw on his chest and HE wants to do it or he wasn't ready, oh or if he's helping unload the dishwasher and I start helping to speed it up (usually I'm only allowed to be handed the stuff from him to put away) but if he see's me take anything directly from the dishwasher myself, I have to give it back to him for all of 1 second then he hands it back to me otherwise he throws himself on the floor and screams. It's a long process.

Spot DS was never really proper jealous of dd at all I have been lucky but It may have been all the visitors and house guests / family we had staying around the time as they paid him so much attention. The only thing he does now is want to be carried down the stairs if I am carrying dd which isn't too handy but prevents meltdown and is good for the biceps / triceps

Have a lovely weekend Lady [waves]

Rub that sounds very familiar! DD also yesterday had a truly awe-inspiring tantrum because DH went to work. It was really rather impressive, I was tempted to hold up a perfect ten scorecard after

Re TripAdvisor, I always love the fact that without fail, Americans will complain about Parisian plumbing. Or plumbing anywhere, come to that.