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

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

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!!!

Very pleased you're feeling better, Bc! You'll probably be bored s*less after the first ten mins, but maybe drop in to say hello, satisfy your/their curiosity and have a good excuse to go elsewhere soon after. If it's not too out of your way, of course...
Then again, it might be fun for your DS to hang out with some other babes (unless they're all confined to buggies/laps etc....)

Great to hear you sounding so perky, LBH! Def a good idea for you and your DP to have a meal together - a chance to reconnect.

Lots more good ideas on the food front - I especially like the mini-pittas idea, SB....

Last night our blinking upstairs neighbour had (I surmise) fallen asleep in front of his DVD player as it was playing through the main menu over and over at 02.00. The sound is VERY clear in DD's room and although I'm not sure if it was bothering her, it was certainly bothering me. In the end, poor old DH was sent upstairs to request a lowering of the volume. Which happened immediately, so that's something.
DH, me and DD then took ages to all get back to sleep though.... meh.

And now DD just coughed herself awake ten mins into her first nap and wouldn't resettle. Pah. Hopefully, she'll make up for it this afternoon and won't be too cranky at lunchtime.....

Anyway, apart from everyone feeling a tad jaded, all is well at Casa IC

CS that's what I'm worried about... if they suddenly want to meet after a year I would think they just want to compare their own LO favourably to mine (What? Your LO does not do baby yoga/tap dance/drama yet? Can't walk, run, jump, speak sentences????? Really???) These days I would just think wtf but with my first I'd be seriously insecure and at that point really could do without that kind of meeting. There are plenty of nice supportive people out there.

IC strong coffee!!! Your neighbour sounds a little thoughtless... Hope you all can nap today to make up for it

Hah, good advice BG! Only trouble is, as I'm still BF DD at regular intervals, I'm a bit nervous about having too much caffeine - god knows, the naps are precarious enough as it is!!!

Actually, we just had a power nap together, DD and I. Well, I had a lie-down and after fidgeting, kicking her legs, clicking her tongue while on the breast (very tickly!)and generally fiddling around for half an hour, DD finally dropped off at around midday. We gave her 15mins for a recharge. Hopefully that will be enough to get her to her afternoon nap and through lunchtime without major crankiness....

I must say, I do enjoy the cuddly co-naps and co-lie-ins we have together....as DD isn't very cuddly in general (as mentioned upthread) it's lovely to be able to properly snuggle up with her.

IC you are quite right, that was a bit thoughtless of me Absolutely agree on the cuddly co-lie-ins. dd1 was like that, too. dd2 is totally different and constantly tries to hug and kiss me . She is much more attached to me than dd1 was (who was equally attached to dh) partly because dh still focuses a lot on dd1 when he's around. Mind you, dd2 has started demanding Papa-time now . Bit of healthy competition there.. but the two girls are already thick as thieves and gang up on us adults . Loving the sibling relationship developing...

My thought for the day.... don't have wine with lunch because it may make you keen on some couple time which is impossible with a toddler around.... She's grown suspicious of us suddenly allowing continuous Postman Pat on DVD at weekends and seems to know we are trying to get rid of her for a bit . Maybe we should have our TV back because the novelty of Cbbies would probably entertain her for a bit...

BC In that case don't go . I have developed a tough skin (actually more like a bubble around me) by living for almost 3 years in a japanese fishermen village. People would follow me in the supermarket to see what I was buying and children would point shouting "gaijin".
I can go to many baby groups and do the same, isolation in my bubble, and let everything glide (more or less). I hate comparisons or confident competitive mums... But may be I sound like that now that I have 2

Just had 4 6 yo (5 with mine) for 2 hours. I am exhausted! DD2 too .
DH working all nights and week ends at the moment. Hope it pay off.

I have anger problems with my periods, any advice? I don't like being like that!

I'm not a competitive mum at all, but do love people watching, so would probably go and have an internal chuckle at all the goings on. I suppose I think that you never know when your paths may cross again (nursery? school?) so it's worth retaining familiarity, even if armslength.

On my own at the moment as DH is skiing. So obviously DD2 woke up last night.

But good news - SHE HAS A TOOTH!

I have made loads of lovely mum friends locally now and he sees loads of other babies all the time, so it's not like we're short of things to do. I am honestly not that sensitive about seeing them, I just don't want to be bothered pretending to be nice to people who clearly don't like me that much.

Part of the reason you do an NCT course is to start to have a network of friends who are in a similar situation. When we were first home from hospital I was quite isolated, it would have been appreciated if they'd invited me along for a meet up then. They knew all the troubles we had towards the end of the pregnancy and I mailed them from hospital so they knew I was in for 2 weeks. Right now, it really does seem that they just want to have a nose. Too little, too late. Maybe in a way they did me a favour because I did really make an effort to meet lots of people which I might not have done if I did see them more regularly. LBH is right, it was very redolent of secondary school.

Of course I could go and be really gracious (and then report back to you lot!). It wouldn't be far to go, so I wouldn't be putting myself out.

Am still torn tbh. Got another group email from the one who sent the original one suggesting a date. Hmm... I just don't want them to think I am going because I am billy no-mates and am all grateful that they have deigned to remember me.

Mamaloco I am intrigued about you living in a Japanese fishing village for three years. How come? Japan is the place I would most like to visit in the world. There's a small possibility we'll get to go this autumn as DH has been asked to do some work for Red Bull who run a yearly music academy at a different city each year. This year it is Tokyo. If he gets to go for work he'll fly me and DS too.

Calcium, Magnesium and vitamin B6 are supposed to help with PMT - also Dong Quai.

IC Sorry about the noise last night, must have been annoying. DS is another one who is not a great cuddler. That was the only nice thing about when he was ill, he just wanted to cuddle up to me all the time.

Bethy How are your sinuses at the mo?

DS has, I fear, started to have tantrums. He arches his back and goes all rigid (like when I try and get him into his pram) and screams - he did it when I took something off him earlier today. He's done it a few times this week.

His routine is pretty much back to normal and he's even more himself today thank goodness. He is napping now, due to wake any minute.

CS good news on the tooth, it's probably why your night wasn't good.

I have to agree with CS about not knowing when you'll encounter them again (especially valid over here as we are a small community). Go but have an escape plan in case it doesn't go well.

Tonight DS is going to have beetroot, so reusable or disposable nappy for the night?

Sorry BC cross posted. In that case I would not go, as they obviously ignored you contacting them. DS also does the tantrums tricks now.

BC I'd go and behave badly. Be a terrible show-off about LO's achievements (I would definitely have to stretch a bit there) and emphasise what a bad Mum I am in a Shameless way. But I am a mischief-maker. In contrast my DP is v v middle class and uptight about everything and would do anything for a quiet life. It makes for interesting family gatherings.

I had never thought about frozen veg for DD but it's a stroke of genius. Lob it in with a bit Dolmio and Bob's yer uncle a nutritious meal. Thank you.

CS I am at the tooth. My DD is still a Gummy Bear.

Stangirl, you a mischief-maker?? I must say, I'm a bit shocked...

Yay, CS - now the biting can start in earnest!

Teeth are a mixed blessing though, Stangirl... (ouch...)

Having read your follow up, Bc, I would say don't bother then.

Bedtime approacheth... Here's hoping our upstairs neighbour remembers to turn down his blessed home cinema tonight.....

Postscript to previous post.. it is possible to out-wit a 3 year old by saying that she can't possibly watch another DVD . Note to self though to press 'play all' rather than select only one 14 minute episode

Ooh BG were you interupted....?!

Well I am having a precious few moments of me time on a Sunday morning. DD is napping!!!! It is her first daytime nap in her cot since Tuesday. Phew. May this be the start of her going back to normal, please... and DH has gone back to bed too, as he got up with her this morning. As well he might, considering I resorted to bedding down on the cold, hard floor of her bedroom last night - something I've sworn I would never do. But she was quiet when I was in the room, screamed when I left it, and lord knows I just want some sleep. After a week of very disturbed nights I will do anything for a night's sleep.

We did leave her to cry it out one night. I hate doing it but we'd given calpol, a toothing powder, and water, and it was too early to feed her (please don't flame me for not feeding her at night - I really want her not to expect it before 4am or it just gets into a habit). She screamed for 10 minutes and then sobbed for 5, the longest 15 minutes of my life. Then silence. Then 15 minutes later.... started up again. That's not supposed to happen per the book. So our one attempt at crying it out didn't go particularly well. And I ended up feeding her. What's the point.

BC great that you are feeling so much better. Get well wishes to your mum. If I were in your position I wouldn't go to the meet-up. But can you contant the nice blonde lady and suggest getting together just the two of you?

CS yay for the tooth!! DD has another two coming through on the top. She has taken to biting when feeding. Ouch indeed.

LBH how was the meal out? Who had your DD?

So IC do you not drink coffee then? I do One nice strong cup in the morning, then herbal or normal tea after that. I suppose it couldn't hurt to cut it out while her naps are so bad. (Still asleep!!!! Go away MN jinx)

Scones Sorry you had such an awful night. My DD doesn't get any food for 12 hrs - 7pm to 7:30am so I don't think there's anything wrong with not feeding at night. I really hope tonight is better.

I didn't know you weren't supposed to have caffeine when bfing. I did 6mths downing tea every day. Oh well.

Am in a right grump today as it's my birthday tomorrow and I will be really old.

Stan happy birthday for tomorrow (in case I forget tomorrw )

Scones my DS goes from 6.30pm until 8am without feeding. CC is hard and not always successful, will you consider trying for more than one night? I know it's bloody hard but if you are for it it may work (I was dead against it up to November when i reached my teether)

Ds is very clumsy today, stuff he normally does seem to end up in a fall but it may be linked to him letting go when standing

Forty%( is NOT really old, Stangirl*! You're still in the pink (not to mention up the duff) - HB for tomorrow, but I'll try and remember and say it properly on the day itself...!

Sorry for a rough night, Scones. Sounds like separation anxiety. And the teeth maybe giving her a bit of gyp.
I always end up sleeping in DD's room at the moment (got a mattress in there) - but that's as much for my sake as hers. She often needs a couple of attempts to resettle in the early hours, so it saves me tramping up and down the corridor. Here's hoping for a better night tonight.

Caffeine's okay when BF, Stangirl - it won't harm your baby, but it might keep them awake if they're sensitive to it. I do have the occasional cup of cafe con leche, but I'm reluctant to risk it, given that DD's hardly the world's greatest sleeper!

Yep, it's bumps and bruises time as they try and walk, SB! I've been playing rough with DD recently to try and toughen her up a bit. When I say rough, I mean chucking her on the bed or sofa and pushing her over when she tries to get up. She thinks it's hilarious!

Forty@$£%^ isn't old, Stangirl - you're still in the pink (or up the duff, anyway...!) HB for tomorrow, but I'll try and remember to do it properly when it comes.

Ah, bummer on the bad night, Scones - sounds like separation anxiety and maybe the new teeth giving her a bit of gyp...
Here's hoping you have a better night of it tonight...
I always end up on the floor in DD's room (there's a mattress, it's very comfy) more for my benefit than hers, as she often needs a couple of attempts to resettle and it saves me tramping up and down the corridor. It's also handy for the cuddly brekky breast-feed without me having to do anything more energetic than lift DD out of her cot and bring her in with me.

Caffeine's fine when BF, Stangirl - it won't harm the baby. Just might keep them awake if they're sensitive to it (you'd probably need to take in a fair bit for that, but I prefer to take no chances given how intermittent DD's sleep is anyway...)

Yep, it's bumps and bruises time now they're getting on their feet, SB! I've started doing rough play with DD to try and toughen her up a bit. I throw her on the bed or sofa then push her back when she tries to get up again. She thinks it's hilarious. We both enjoy the game and it's a good workout for her!

Ha ha ha!!! I typed out one post, though I'd lost it so re-typed it.

At least my memory is still mostly intact...

Tried DD on some curries today. Went to lovely South Indian restaurant to have puri and dosas for lunch and was feeding her bits. Unfortunately DP got carried away and started giving her some of the hotter curries in his thali and she started screaming. She did like the cooler ones though.

Oh my God! (If you like South Indian have you been to Ganapati in Peckham? - It's really nice).

IC classic!! Incredible memory there!!

Stan haven't tried dd2 on much curry yet (except the time she stuck her hand into mine and licked her fingers). dd1 used to be into Thai curry - possibly because I craved Thai curry when pregnant with her?
Happy Birthday for tomorrow by the way... mine's in a few weeks and I am pretending it's not happening...lalala It's 'only' 39 but that's officially the 40th anniversary of my 'birth- day'... Urgh.

scones no, weren't interrupted... just mad keen and quick
As for nighttime food, dd2 goes from her bedtime bottle at 6pm to breakfast at 8am at the moment. Come to think of it that is quite a long time... Hmm.

CS your dh is skiing on his own? . One of the things I definitely miss at the moment but we can't really go until the LO's are a bit older and can enjoy ski school (by which time we probably can't afford it... ).

dh took dd1 out today to give me time to prepare for a job interview I have this week, but dd2 thought otherwise and woke after 45 minutes from her lunchtime nap... At least I printed some stuff out and have an idea for the presentation I have to give. Find it hard to motivate myself and keep thinking I am wasting my time because they won't give me the job anyway.... So much for positive thinking!! I have realised after 18 months at home though that I think I am a better person (more patient, less grumpy, feeling like I contribute more) if I work at least part time...

Hmmmm... curry... For very very authentic and fantastic Indian food, Leicester is the place to go . It was quite a shock after 9 years in the Midlands to find what they pass as curry in Wales .

'pass off'