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!!!

Oh, and I am slightly predictable... Here's dd1's first birthday cake next to dd2's

Am I too late for cake and - me thinks this symbol was created for me!! And yes, BG, I'm Beth on facebook. I will take IC up on the offer of emailing the pics to her cos I'm so disappointed that you still can't see my boys - I'm actually fairly IT literate, but it's just not playing!

BC and Stan sorry to hear that your LOs are still poorly (and you too BC). Hope they will all be better soon. I spent 90 mins last night from 2a.m. trying to get DS1's temp down from 39.2 - it wasn't budging. Managed it in the end and even got a minor lie in as both DS then slept in a bit thank God.

CS I'm still doing 20 mins exercises a night for my SPD and they do seem to help but I'm a long way from sorted unfortunately. The physio reckons it could take a year after you stop breastfeeding - I'm afraid I can't remember when that is for you but for me should be mid-August. It bugs me every day so I really sympathise (and it's the main reason we won't be having a number 3DC!)

LBH I'm feeling very sad for you and hope things improve again soon. Big hugs.

PA Glad you have arrived safely.

Can I have a little rant before bed? Having DS2's party next Sunday p.m and gave my family a month's notice. My older brother (the boys' guardian) is coming, but my mum and other brother are both 'busy'-this involves a dog show and a dressage competition. AIBU to think that perhaps DS2 should come first, at least for my mum? My brother has been pretty shit since the day he gave me away at my wedding 4.5 years ago but I was hoping my mum might prioritise her grandson! I then said, "Well, DS1 will be having a party the weekend of 2nd April" and she said, "Oh, well, I've got a dog show that day too." I did then point out that it's fine but that she did know when the boys birthdays were and that they might predictably be having parties around the weekend of their birthdays!!

Now I'm feeling guilty cos she's being investigated on Wednesday to see if she's got cervical cancer so I should perhaps have held my tongue a little longer, but she brought it up. Being a daughter to a mum who is divorced and has no partner is really hard. Sorry..rant over..just feeling sad tonight. DH's family are fab (despite their idiosyncracies) and my family really are rubbish. Virtually no photos of them for my DS to see when they are older as they just don't turn up to things/visit at all.

ooo.. and good luck with the TTC too...

Beth beautiful pictures on FB! So sorry to hear about the problems with your family . They just don't know what they are missing!

Help

I'm at the ILs and they don't have wireless

and I'm in nottingham

will come back and read posts when I can

What's worse PA, the lack of wireless or being in Nottingham?!

Oops, sorry bethylou, I unthinkingly captioned your DS' as DDs on the FB group. I just tried to edit the captions, but it wouldn't let me Sorry! Pure absent-mindedness on my part....

And I agree with you that your mum's shirking grandmotherly duties there. Although given that she's on her own, I imagine the dog shows are an essential part of her social life - plus I suspect you pay in advance to enter them...
That said, it's still a shame she can't make a bit of time for her grandsons. I don't think I would be impressed in your position, either.

Well, DH now looks like he's got a tennis ball lodged in his cheek. It's rotten for him. The hospital stuck some anti-bacterial something or other in there for half an hour, had a look, then told him he should be able to last until his dental appointment on Tues. DH is going down first thing tomorrow to plead for an earlier appointment.
Totally rubbish for him.

Bethylou that your family are being so crap. Am also daughter (and only child) of a single, divorced woman. Hope that mum's investigation is ok. My mum had to have colposcopy for pre-cancerous cells. That's what's so great about regular smear tests, even if they have something it is usually so early that they just need to remove a small layer of cells.

We are just getting it together to go out for a walk.

Mum really got to me - have been cleaning the living room floor on my hands and knees and washing his foam floor mat.

Hahah @ Schrodinger re baby in the freezer with a bleach lolly. Is antibac stuff not good then? I didn't realise - what's the thinking?

BG Fab photos, glad the high chair party went well.

PA I remember things you've said about your in-laws and I don't like the sound of them AT ALL. Hope it is not too dreadful, or if it is then the time passes quickly! Will you be going to your folks too?

IC Poor your DH. That sounds awful. I hope they'll see him properly tomorrow - it's really not fair to make him wait while he's in such pain and got an infection as well. The least they could have done was to give him some antibiotics. I'm not one for taking them willy-nilly but this seems a time when they are very much needed.

BG great pics! I'm planning a gooey chocolate stack for DD2's do on Wednesday and will do fairy cakes for her nursery group.

Beth what exercises are you doing for SPD? I've been doing Just Dance and Wii Yoga and they're taking their toll. I gave up BF at about three or four weeks so I should definitely be better now. So I'm a bit sad that it's still there (though I keep reminding myself that this time last year I could barely walk).

PA good luck with the ILs (and beth with your mum).

LBH you OK?

IC hope your DH's tooth gets better soon.

The DDs are watching Star Wars with DH and DD1 and I have just made alphabet biscuits. Pics on FB!

IC hope your dh gets treatment tomorrow... that sounds incredibly painful. Tell him to not budge until they see him!

Stangirl I was thinking about you today and just can't get my head around the idea of you being pregnant. You never moan about it (and I would be doing so ALL the time). I hope you both feel better soon.

Still no AF here, going to test at the end of the week if nothing has arrived.

After telling her DD had had enough porridge (we fed her early so she wasn't that hungry), MIL took the spoon off me and tried to sneak and force feed her. DD was rather shocked to say the least. Oh well, counting down the days. I won't go on, because I won't stop if I start.

Beth As you say she knew your DS's birthday so you would have thought when the show came up she would have either (a) thought oh I better not or (b) told you straight away so that you might have done something the weekend before or the one after. I hope the tests go OK, and you can hate someone and love them at the same time. It doesn't make you horrible, just human. ps your FB photos are gorgeous.

pps I'm a FB friend whore so if people want to befriend me I won't decline, but I won't offer as I know people like their privacy.

Likewise about FB. Feel free to friend me up.

We had another vom just now - I am so worried about the weight loss that I am trying to feed him but maybe I should just not and he'll get better quicker.

We ran into my nice NCT friend and her DH and DD on our walk. Had a laugh about the invite and she said she'd decided not to go.

DS has been in a slightly better mood today. We've had some smiles and fun. He likes me biting his lamb soft toy and pretending to worry it like a dog. Right now he has the washing basket on his head.

PA Feel free to vent as much as you want.

Thanks all. DH has a temp of 38, is feeling generally achy and a bit nauseous, so he's gone off to another place (the hospital told him to if he developed a fever) in the hope that they at least will give him some antibiotics. I agree with you Bc about antibiotics, but with some infections, a bit of extra help can be useful, to say the least!

Ah, you ARE doing yoga already, CS. Fair enough. Miserable, I hope the SPD stops giving you gyp sooner rather than later...
The gooey chocolate stack sounds ace! Where's the MN cake emoticon eh?!

I also had colposcopy once for the same reason, Bc. In fact, I was due a smear test the year before last, but couldn't because I was pregnant.
Yes, I neglected to say I hope all's well with your mum, bethy, despite her grandchild neglect (!)

Bethy and BC - I too am the only daughter (only child) of a single, divorced (and widowed) mother who had pre-cancerous cells removed. My Mum's was done 20years ago and she has been fine since. Hoping all goes well with Beth's Mum.

BC - noooo! Don't become a cleanliness freak. Your Mum was wrong. I hope to bring up DD on a handful of dirt a day. I too was worried sick about DD not eating whilst ill but GP said not to and concentrate on making sure she was hydrated - I was using a syringe filled with water just to get something down her every 15mins.

IC ouch ouch ouch for your DH. I'm a terrible scaredy cat about dentists but my root canal was a dream - I was so drugged up I was completely relaxed about it. Marvellous.

PA Grrr - at your MIL. I'd actually shout at my Mum if she did that - my MIL wouldn't dare. I am ferocious though. Very sweet of you to think of me. Both my pregnancy with my DD and this one so far have been quite straight-forward. When I hear about the SPD and various ailments that others have had I know I have been very lucky. My DP always says I have the constitution of an ox because I come from good peasant stock (a running joke that my family is working-class and came from poverty whereas he's a Tory poshboy - both of which have elements of truth).

IC ouch for your DH! I hope he can get it sorted tomorrow or get some drugs to help.

PA that's in those cases that a kid blowing raspberry with food in his mouth is useful Hoping that AF is coming (I guess you want her to show up?)

bc I agree with the comments about over cleanliness. A bit of dirt is good in my opinion. At nursery all kids are chewing on toys on after the others.

BG lovely pixs. Nice cake too.

CS I like your alphabet shape cutters!

PA oh dear, hope the outcome is what you want. If I remember rightly how you conceived your dd you seem to be super fertile... . Haven't got in-laws but my mum can be a little insistent on feeding mine pudding etc. I've learnt to count to ten and think we are only there a few days. She does mean well in her own way...
Mind you, not sure I could cope with Nottingham or lack of wireless.

IC Any news on your dh? [worried emoticon]

Hi again!
Sorry, missed your last post, PA - what a cheeky bint your MIL is to try and force-feed your DD porridge! NOT the way to give a baby positive food associations.
Likewise, good luck on the you-know-what....

Love the image of you blissed out during your root canal, Stangirl! Sorry you and your DD have been poorly, I hope you're both starting to get better.

Likewise Bc. Yes, starving a stomach bug is usually a good idea (I learned that the hard way when I persuaded my mum to eat when she had a bug once.... I caught the bug from her and didn't eat for three days, but then felt better - which was quicker than my mum's recovery. Oh, it started on my wedding night, too )

Well, DH is back from the face specialists with a carrier bag full of pills, some are so huge they look like they're for horses. Various anti-bi's, some stuff to ease his stomach and gawd knows what else. Still, I (and I think he) feel better now someone has decided it would probably be a good plan to try and get rid of the infection. The medic there had a rootle around and reckons he's got an absess...joy.
I've made him some soup.

IC your poor dh, that's rotten (no pun intended). Hope he's got the right antibiotics and they kick in very quickly (I am also one not too keen on antibiotics but certainly know their value when needed, as in this case)

LBH hope you are okay

Sending get well vibes to all of those poorly/with poorly dc... and I promise not to sneeze on you (I'm full of cold but nothing too sinister)

IC I feel for your DP. Sounds like an abcess, I have had 3. Pain comes a close 3rd (labour and coccyx breaking in delivery 1st and 2nd!)

Been reading posts but am having a rough weekend. DP are back on good terms for now but DD cut her foot, still full of cold and cough and refusing most food. Then stats to cry and puts her arms up to be lifted out if her chair. I cant begin to tell you how upsetting this is. We have thrown so much away. She either spits it out or throws it. The only thing she will have is her milk, Organix carrott "wotsits" banana or peach slices and fromage frais.

I am torn as what to do...reduce her milk so she is more hungry? Keep trying but don't offer an alternative? Give up as soon as she refuses?

I dont know if its teething her cold or she isnt hungry or just doesnt like what we give her. She used to eat most things before.

I am so upset. I just dont know what to do. I dread mealtimes now. This started Friday night.

Yippee! So glad you can finally 'meet' my boys and I on FB!! Thanks again IC and hope that your DH is soon feeling a lot better with the drugs inside him.

Come back to us LBH and either share your woes or let us know that DP has seen the error of his ways and given you a lovely weekend off. Maybe you are actually in the spa as suggested upthread? More hugs...

Stan Hope you and DD are starting to feel better - jealous of the strong constitution you have! Sorry to hear your mum and BC's mum ave also had to have nasty investigations in the past. My mother is a capricorn and, true to form, a stubborn old goat! She has got a friend who is currently dying of cancer and has decided that if it is bad news for her she won't be having any treatment (also partly due to hating hospitals). I know that this is one of the more treatable ones, so I'd hope to persuade her, but she would have to do as she pleases if those circumstances occur. We wait and see.. I don't believe in worrying before we know what we are dealing with.

PA Grr! on your behalf about the MIL! When we arrived at MIL's on Christmas Day, she gave DS1 chocolate and said, "Go and give that to DS2" at which point DS2 encountered his first chocolate as I decided the first ten minutes of our visit was not the time to fall out with her. Sneaky way of doing it though I thought, and she knew exactly what she was doing as we've been there before with DS1!! Hope the rest of your visit goes more smoothly (and AF arrives soon - maybe delayed by flights and stress?

CS I would send you a message on FB re exercises but can't at the mo as it won't let me so everyone will have to ignore this bit. Therefore:

1. lots of the 'clam' for each leg - engage muscles as described below, lie on side, legs bent up towards chest a bit, back in straight line. Lift top knee as much as is comfortable, slowly and repeat. I'm up to 2x20 for each leg.
2. lie on your back with knees bent and feet near bottom. Engage pelvic floor and core tummy muscles (low ones either side of and just below your tummy button). Squeeze a cushion between your knees and slowly lift your bottom and then lower back off the floor so tummy is in the air. Peel each vertebra off the the floor one at a time until you look like a wedge of cheese!
3. Lying(sp?) in same starting position and engaging same muscles, slowly drop one leg out to the side to where it is still comfy, and back again whilst keeping your pelvis and other leg stable. Apparently you should try to breathe at the same time so you are not relying too much on your top tummy muscles under your ribs. I find this really hard and have to turn the telly off and concentrate!
4. I also do 20x2 straight leg lifts (lie on side and lift whole top leg straight) and 2x20 squats by the sofa (in case I fall backwards!) I then finish with 20 supermans if that means anything to you!

I have to say my bum is now rock hard after 2 months and they are working slowly but surely pelvis-wise, but it takes me 20 mins each night which is a lot of our evening at the mo once we've finished all the chores. Helps if there's something interesting on the telly! Please don't injure yourself doing my exercises-that's just to give you an idea. The physio at my local hospital has been very helpful so maybe you need a referral? I certainly wouldn't be able to do exercise on the wii at the mo so maybe you've gone a bit fast. I also could barely walk this time last year!

LBH don't worry it is normal that they don't eat much if ill. DD1 is 6 and still refuses anything with meat in when not well.
biscuit, bananas, yogurt, bread seems to be a completely normal diet for a virus. Try vegetable soups/broth and fruits compotes (nothing too acidic though), and let her choose what she eats for a few days. Reintroduce what you are eating then before making her a normal meal again.
To answer your questions, I would increase her milk, give as much as she wants for now, I would give back the bottle too if you have a sippy cup and have problems giving her enough fluids (better the bottle than the IV), and give up food as soon as she refuses.

IC poor DH. I hope he is not half as grumpy as mine is when having teeth problems .

PA BG nottingham is not that bad! that's where DD1 was born there was one of the 10 best curry restaurant in britain then.

Sorry - just time to type a "woe-is-me" post. DD is now fighting fit but I am v v sick. My usual robust constitution has let me down and I've already been sick twice this morning. I'm losing weight - something I don't like doing when pregnant - and feel very weak. Poor DP has had to take DD into her first day at nursery and it has made him v v late during his busiest time at work. On the up side I now don't have to go back to work until Wednesday as my new boss isn't in tomorrow and says to leave it till then.

BC The antibacterial is just added chemicals, so not good for allergies. It act a bit like antibiotics too, so not so good in the long run either. Plus for the soaps, they actually kill your helpful bacteria which live on your skin, leaving it open for more infections.
Old fashion soap is enough to get rid of the worst (with proper scrubbing). Bleach in the toilets and canalisations. And washing once a week, dealing with spills strait away is fine.

DD1 school has antibact. soap for the children. It took me a while to realise what was causing the eczema on her hands, she now has her own baby soap and is fine.

I love Nottingham , but I'm from a dead end town.

stan sorry to hear you are so poorly. hope you get better soon.