FEB 2010 First birthdays beckon and toddlerdom approacheth...uh-oh!

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It's humbling to look back at the last year and see how our LO's have gone from helpless newborns to action-packed pre-toddlers.

BRING IT ON!!!

PA where you in Las Vegas? Where did you find the snow?

CS good to hear that you had a great time. I hope your girls gave you loads of cuddle.

DS is very cuddly at the moment so I'm taking all the ones he want to share. He probably had a small tommy bug on Saturday as I got it today so no work for me, hopefully it'll within the next 24h as I want to know what happened at the weekend in my side of work.

dd2 has just spent an hour and a half happily pottering around, playing on her own, following me from room to room while I tidy up, and occasionally coming over for a cuddle. It's nice how well she can entertain herself when dd1 is in nursery. dd1 is good with her but tends to dominate their play (in other words, tends to snatch toys off her all the time...).

I feel somewhat better today after a weekend with the period from hell (sorry if tmi). Ended up doing a little research and was reassured that this is normal when the coil comes out - I was briefly thinking about going to A&E because I started to feel faint!

Wishing you all a good week

Ugh! Been trying to keep up with you all but have been in the most evil mood ever having mood swings for the last week! I finally got my period last night and have woken up feeling like I've been run over this morning. Thank goodness my DP is here to take over as I am having real trouble functioning today. This is my first period since DD was born so I'm bracing myself for period pains today. I have left a trail of disaster behind me (argued with my sister, my mother, DP, my ex), have been lashing out at everyone, in the blackest of moods, and couldn't understand why... so felt hugely relieved when there was a reason for it! Sorry about your period too BG, do you think it was a miscarriage or just a post-coil haemorrhage? Anyway, I just thought I would wave from the sofa, might try and post again later, been a bit crap lately but I've literally been walking with a black cloud over my head since the New Year...

Oh and belated happy birthdays to Stoof and CS! Glad you had a nice time in NYC CS, very but it sounds like it was a long time coming!

Oh Abs so sorry for you but at least you know why you felt so crap! I'm quite used to wanting to divorce dh immediate for a few days before a period and have learnt to bite my tongue knowing it will pass. And he has learnt to keep out of my way .
Not sure whether this was a mc but if it was I am glad. I'd love a third but not with coil, no folic acid, and having drunk rather a lot over Christmas!!

I know what you mean... for a while there I thought I was pregnant as I was craving juicy burgers and I'm a veggie! PMT symptoms are so similar, I was absolutely starving all the time, really tired, manic and crabby all at once. I've also been drinking a bit too much over Christmas and haven't been taking folic acid either so felt hugely relieved that I wasn't. We were going to buy a pg test today so phew

Abs Sorry to hear you have been feeling so crap. Since DD I have horrendous PMT, never suffered before with it. I used to be so even tempered. One thing though, I have had no period pains whatsoever since they returned although they are very heavy.

Anyone else had this??

Went to cranail osteopath this morning....feel a bit he said he doesnt think she is suffering any particular pain from the forceps delivery but she has some tention in her lower skull and behind her ears. So I am to return for a couple more sessions...at £45 a pop not cheap!!

Have put her down for her nap now, hoping for a miracle and no early wake up!!

sorry about your period, but it's all normal.

We went to the grand canyon as well, that's where the snow was. We did a helicopter ride there as well :)

Sleep has been the same, think some teething is happening, but don't think any will break through. She's been very dribbly. Naps still good, night time sleep still some non food related wakings with feeds at 9, 12, 3 and 5. Would like the 5 to turn into a 6.

Good luck with tonight's sleep everyone.

PA we also had snow in Grand Canyon when we went 6 years ago in November (and 35C when we went back in September 2009 ).

LBH mine were heavier when they first came back (in April) but now it's back to what they were pre-pregnancy.

Abs sorry that you're having a bad time. If you are worried about the folic acid intake just start now, like this you'll be covered when it happens, especially as you are TTC.

Tommy bug gone (fingers crossed) so I went back to work late morning.

DS is now sleeping more than was a month ago he has one nap in the morning which lasts 1h to 1h30, then another 20mn around 4pm, plus sleeps 12 hours a night. Is that normal? (I'm used to 2x20 mn naps a day!! )

SB yes normal with the sleep. And especially if he hasn't been well.

LBH I had very painful period until I got DD1, then no more pain sometime it even surprises me. If I had known, I would have had a kid at 11 to avoid the 24 years of pain and a week/months of full doses of nurofen. Now after DD2, I get very grumpy (I mean really for no obvious reason) but I am also slowly reaching the menopause . Abs I am with you on the anger. Wish we could find something to aleviate it though, I don't think the nurofen would cut it

Sleep hugely improved 7h30 till 5h30 no waking up. crying less and less to settle, I wish she wouldn't wake up sooo early. I had to go to bed at 20h30 last night .

Back to 2 naps a day , after 2 weeks of 1 or no naps. Getting longer too (finger crossed).

Hiya all. Back from my friend's 40th in the country. Most people had managed to off-load their DCs so there was my DD, one 18mth old, one 5 yo, one 7yo and a 10yo. Unfortunately DD has taken to being very loud and screamy during the day - which was a marked contrast to the other smaller child who was very quiet. At least she still slept well at night. She also said her first word - Daddy - which she seems to say in a Birmingham accent. Now I'm back home and being my usual whiney, pregnant self. God I hate being pregnant - thankfully the end result is worth it, and far less tiring.

Ugh Abs, poor you with the period...and indeed BG and in general LBH. Huge sympathy.

I've been lucky so far with post natal periods. No noticeable PMS (not something I had in the past either) and they tend to be fairly light and only last about three days or so. So far.

Stan, the end result less tiring!! Good on yer!!
Like the Birmingham accent, heh!

Wow, PA, LV and the GC sound awesome - amazing experiences!

Well, I'm continuing to be hit by early-hours insomnia. It's really peeving because I could probably notch up 7-8 hours sleep per night if my own mind would switch off properly.
DD woke twice last night, but to be fair, the second was very soon after the first so I don't think she'd properly resettled. And it was after 03.30 for the two, so a stint of more than 7 hours first. Then she slept until 07.15. It's so frustrating that I can't seem to be able to take advantage of it.

I've ordered a book from Amazon which is a self-help course aimed at curing insomnia using CBT. Fingers crossed it will do the trick. Although I'm functioning fine and not feeling especially stressed about the situation, I still want to get it sorted. If only for vanity's sake...!

On another subject, what are your LO's favourite books? Peepo is without doubt DD's no.1 at the moment. So much so that when she starts protest crying about something, especially when I get out her sleeping bag so she knows it's bedtime, I only have to say:
"Here's a little baby
One, two three..." and she stops immediately. Works like magic

PA I love Vegas (though you have to take it as it is). Pretty good with kids too, if my memory serves correctly.

stan I always feel that my children are the noisiest/worst behaved etc etc whenever we go anywhere, but I think you are just far more sensitive to your own children, as everyone says they are very good. Sorry you're feeling poo (and you may well be the only person in the world who thinks delaing with the baby when out is easier than pg!).

IC boo on the sleep, Hope the book helps.

BG my DD2 also happily potters behind me as I wander round the house doing chores. It's lovely.

DD2's current tricks are pulling up to kneeling (don't remember DD1 doing this, but she was walking by now), she loves all books (but particularly one called "I like it when..."), and (whispers) sleeping through.

She seems to be settling in OK at nursery and I'm a bit freaked out at having all this time on my hands!

IC sorry about the sleep. Have you try meditation? I had insomnia and I can now phase out thoughts. I didn't learn by mediation but it is kind of the same process, I still have some unsettled night, and, yes, it is frustrating when the baby is sleeping and not you. I hope the books help you.
My mum "moves" and refurnished her friends house. I have a space ship and travel to other planets . DH manage football teams... Find something that can take your mind away. No writing books in your mind that wouldn't help .

DD2 still not very keen on books. Just the touchy feely, but no time for me too read it, she won't sit still more than 2 sec, just her scratching with her finger.
DD1 really liked "the very hungry caterpillar" and "dear zoo", and some french dictionaries (like "my first words"...) on top of the touchy feely. But she was (is) a book worm. DD2 is another kind of book worm

CS I am sure you will adjust with the time!

Hi everyone! DH and I have been away this weekend for our delayed mini-honeymoon. He took me to a truly amazing Chateau hotel not far from Lyon. It is the most luxurious place I've ever stayed, michelin-starred restaurant, jaw-droppingly expensive wine list, etc. We spent most of Friday travelling there, and all of Sunday travelling back, but that was fun as we both love reading and just got stuck into our books. The only real shame, in fact, was that I got my blimmin PERIOD the day before we left What shit timing. My periods are so much heavier than they were pre-pregnancy, too. So while I fondly imagined wall-to-wall sex, it was all rather restrained in that department. Oh, well. Mum loved having DD, and I'm already planning a sneaky night away somewhere when I will NOT have my period (not sure how I will pay for this now that I'm not working mind ).

It was lovely being child-free for a few days but I did miss DD so, so much. And it was a bit of a pain having to pump every few hours and then THROW IT AWAY.

Belated happy birthdays to stoof and CS. Wow I am very jealous of your birthday trip CS! What a fab, fab present. How was it?

BG at your coil falling out. Hope that it was just a heavy period.

Abs hope you're feeling better. You too SB with your tummy bug.

IC fingers crossed with the insomnia. I was hit by it hard during pregnancy, and it seems to have come back now I've got my periods back It is so frustrating lying there awake, knowing that soon you'll have to be up seeing to a baby, anyway. Ugh.

DD is definitely left-handed. I find it a bit strange, I have to admit, as there is no-one left-handed in either mine or DH's family.

I don't get cuddles from DD . She 'kisses' all her cuddly toys on command, and just when she wants to, but won't kiss humans, in fact she puts out her hands to ward off our kisses . I'm hoping she'll grow into cuddles as I would so love to have a kiss from my baby.

DD started crawling the day before we went (so I didn't miss it!) and has since mastered it properly. It is very strange not being able to just leave her somewhere and get on with things. How do you all cope?! Also what do you do all day if you can't get on with things? Do you play with your DCs all day? [stupid emoticon]

By the way we don't go to that sort of flash place often. Never before, in fact. And only because it was just two nights; it would have bankrupted us to have gone for any longer. I was that some people had taken their children with them. It must have been just another hotel to them. I just walked around with my jaw scraping the floor.

The chateau sounds amazing - really unfortunate about the period though.

Happy birthday to the birthday girls (belatedly).

I've been really ill :( Food poisoning I think. Haven't been able to keep anything down for 2 days and I'm quite dehydrated. This is shit because DS has a cold and is hardly eating so depending on me for sustenance - which I can't provide! DH went out and bought a carton of formula but DS wouldn't take it. He hasn't used a bottle in so long I think he's forgotten how - and no luck with sippy cup either.

I'm marginally better since the doc gave me some anti emetics and some codeine phosphate but I worry they are getting through to DS so I am really nervous. I need to take them though. I haven't felt this bad since the caesarian.

Sorry I've not commented on everyone's posts. I need to go back to bed now.

BC you poor thing, hope you feel better soon.

Scones the chateau sounds amazing, and I know exactly what you mean about being amazed at people who do that kind of thing all the time. DH and I once went to a very posh restaurant in London in lieu of going on holiday! We were aghast at all the people who clearly went all the time, but the staff obviously realised it was a big deal for us and really made us feel special. After the meal we left the restaurant and crossed the road to the bus stop...

ML your DD2 makes me laugh with her eating, though I realise it probably isn't funny to you...

Lots of insomniacs on this thread! I use lavender oil on my pillow when I can't sleep and that usually does it for me.

Aw, Bc, that's rotten, poor you...
I was once given this advice by a nurse when I had a horrendous, can't-keep-anything-even-water-down hangover.
She said drink teeny tiny sips of coca-cola - literally drip it into yourself so your stomach won't rebel against it.
It has exactly the right electrolytes in it to rehydrate you properly.
And it wouldn't harm your DS.

Sounds amazing, Scones! Shame about the lack of unbridled passion, but hey - you had a lovely pamperthon anyway!

Thanks for the tips on the insomnia CS and ml. I'll try anything!!!

BC sounds awful, hope you perk up soon and don't worry about the LO, they're very efficient and will soon catch up when all is good again.

DD slept from 10-4 last night. I feel like a new woman, even wearing make up today. The weather is stunning over here atm. I can't believe it's January and predicted highs of above 20 all week. I went to the beach yesterday (was a bank holiday here). Alas she wouldn't settle after her feed at 4 and then I heard a poo-plosion which I guess was the culprit. Have no idea what caused it but seems fine since and she went back to sleep for two hours.

eurgghh at lavendar. I've been quite strict with getting up times which seems to have helped me lately.

For those who are made to feel slatternly re. the books, we don't really do them. She pulls them out by herself at times, but it's not part of our bedtime routine.

Despite the travelling weekend, she took herself off for all her naps yesterday and she had no milk in the day either. I was very impressed.

scones sounds lush and just what was required, glad you enjoyed it.

I try to do a bit of books whenever DS agrees to seat for more than 2 seconds (a bit like yours mama). He enjoys the touchy feely book from Usborne about the trucks and a bath book about the different animals (both are in French).

BC poor you, I hope you get better soon. I agree with IC regarding the coke, I will add drink it ice cold.

Scones Whaou. Where exactly were you?

CS (well done on sleeping).

speedy reply so I can go and stick a few pics in the boys' albums:
Hope you feel beter soon BC and that those with crappy periods are soon feeling good physically and mentally. My mum always told me mine would be okay after I had children and they are even worse than before - heavier, start 'spotting' heavily after ovualtion and get very grumpy. The pain is something else-generally spend the first day unable to stand up straight whilst trying to look after the boys. Every time I am reminded of contractions and perhaps why I was pretty good through labour as the pain was already something I was used to. I was thinking of giving my mum a telling off for lying, but many of you seem to back up her theory.

This wasn't supposed to be a moan!

DS2 walked 16 steps in one go unaided today so I think that oficially counts as walking. He's so proud of himself and very keen to practise. I think the childminders are earning their money while I'm working!!

We have a bedtime story every night and have since about 4 months... but then I am a teacher!! DS2 is not as keen as DS1 was, generally repferring some feely bits on the pages. I like the DK 'peepo' farm book he had for Christmas and he likes the 'that's not my...car/reindeer/anything else as they've really milked the series for every penny now' books!!

Night all and may it be a good one.

BC Sorry you are unwell. I had food poisoning before Xmas and couldn't keep water down. V v grim. Could you check online whether your drugs pass in large quantities into breastmilk? I know opiates (including codeine) are given when pregnant as they don't cross the placenta. Also my friend who recently had a c-section has been given codeine for pain relief and she is breastfeeding - so it must be fine.

Bookswise - DD has a grown up story at bedtime eg Gruffalo, something from Beatrix Potter or Roald Dahl and during the day we use baby books eg touchy feely ones, Dear Zoo, Doing the Animal Bop. She mostly likes chewing them.

Sat here now I can hear that she's just turned her mobile on herself - 30mins and I'll have to get up.

Good morning everyone. I'm having a friend round for a cup of tea this morning, the one who had the very premature baby girl. Little Eva very sadly died on Boxing Day. She was never well I'm wracked with guilt because we never sent the congratulations card we bought, so she only ever got a sympathy card from us. This will be the first time I've seen her since she had Eva in November. I'm quite surprised she's coming actually, as DD is almost exactly a year older than the due date of Eva; I thought she may avoid us for a long time. I just feel so, so, so sorry for her and so thankful for my own baby girl.

DD had her 12 month visit yesterday (although she's not quite 11 months - they do that here) and the HV reassured me that she's not backwards. Or not enough to worry about, anyway!

We had a fairly bad night here (comparatively, although I'm still comparing to before Christmas ), a resettle at one-ish then a proper tantrum at 2.30 which culminated in me having a tantrum at DH for his lack of involvement. Who does the night resettles in your households? I of course get her up for the 5am feed, and am happy to deal with brief resettles prior to that (by 'happy' of course I just mean have a zombie-like acceptance), but I do think, when she's screaming the house down, it's not just my problem and DH shouldn't lie there pretending not to hear it (as if!!). In the end we gave her calpol and she settled down.

Well I'd better get moving. Finding it hard to get back into the daily routine this week.

Get well soon BC.