September 2010 - meet-ups, pram addicts and the cutest babies in the world!

[Chelle1986]

Am taking the innitiative and doing the new thread! Bombs away...!

hi all, i'm starting to look for a highchair for Arlo, and have no idea what to look for. So much to choose from! Anyone got advice?

Dixie I went for an all singing, all dancing, reclining, double tray, adjustable height one for Toby! Complete, absolute waste of money. I used it but only cos it was the only 1 I had. We've sold it and for Olly, bought a simple wooden one with a tray. Like the ones you get in pubs. It was from argos but everywhere sells them. I'd do a link but I'm rubbish at that kind of stuff!

Not much to report here. Ollys still waking in the night! I'm very bored of it now & very tired! I'm now a puree pro with the old blender & just wish I'd bought one 2 years ago when i was weaning Toby!

I feel like a complete weaning novice! When do you go from 1 to 2 to 3 meals a day??

Olly 22 weeks

Hello!! I'm here !! Haven't had a chance to check in for a couple of weeks and now not a chance of catching up with all that's been happening!!

Can't really write much now as balancing laptop precariously whilst cuddling DD!!

Just saying hello and sending big hugs xxxx

I still have the one I got for ds1, it was a mamas and papas hi life dixiebell. I think it depends on what you want like a pushchair, no highchair will do everything! My dh is a tidy freak ans so we needed one that would fold up small to be put away every day. I wanted it to recline and have adjustable foot rest so it would last well and I could lay him down when he fell asleep eating. It wipes down easily and it still going strong after ds1 and 6 minded children all using it. Never bothered about adjustable height and thought a basket underneath was a stupid idea as the toys in it will surely end up covered in food?!?

I think you should be led by them lumpybananapuree, once you've built up the one meal to a size you want to stick to then start another.

Just marking my place while feeding DD, hope everyone had good week-ends with more sleep than us!x

Hi Dixie, this one from Ikea (Antilop) seems to be the one widely recommended by MN, and it's what my brother & SIL have used so we'll be getting one of those, with an additional tray.

Actually, just thought I'd ask a question of all you experienced September baby Mummies ... have been giving myself a hard time over DD's inability to go to sleep before 10pm - she then sleeps til 3/4ish, has a feed and is back to sleep til 8:30/9ish - she's not a nightmare in the evenings, just awake and smiley ... do you think Ishould mess with something that works just 'cos all the books say she should be asleep earlier?

Cinnamon I can't believe the amount he's just eaten. Toby never really took to food until he was 7/8 months old! I think thats why I feel a bit lost! I don't know how to feed a hungry baby! I love it!

Bearbrains If it doesn't bother you her being up till then I'd just go with it. My friends dd was never in bed befor 10 but she's brought it forward herself! I'g a great believer in doing things for an easy life!

DS1 was really hungry but very content with milk so when I started I made ice cubes of puree and I started with one and built up to 4 by the time I started cooking him meals. I used the portion sizes from the annabel karmel book, he always finished it but I never exceeded it and it's worked out well for us lumpybananapuree.

It's not really about the books for me bearbrains it's about my way of life and I enjoy an evening with dh. Ds1 settled himself into a bedtime of 8pm and Luke is in bed by 6pm most nights, which I hate but if I keep him up he is just horrible so what's the point. If you want a bit more time in the evenings and she is happy then put her in her cot and see what happens. She may chat to herself for a bit and then drift off without the stimulation of you/oh/tv being around. If you're happy with it then leave it as it is. Think about the future as well though as some habits are hard to break and will you still be happy for her to go to bed at 10pm when she's a slightly more active 2 year old?

20w+1

banana - glad you have you hand blender! pays to listen to me sometimes right!? Weaning going well here too - bit similar here really - I don't know when enough is enough for him!? He would eat whatever I put in the bowl if I let him....piggy.

bearbrains - Olly went to bed with us at 10:30pm for the first two months. Then we noticed he got tetchy after about 7pm. So one night we just decided to put him to bed at 7pm.He has now been going to bed between 7-7:30pm since he was two months old and we rarely have a problem with this. He just chatters himself off to sleep within about 10 mins if he doesn't go straight off when we put him down.

He wakes for a feed generally between 2am and 4am. However we have had the last three nights 7pm til 6am straight. Although am not holding out any hope for this to last! Just not my luck!

dixie we have a mammas & pappas high chair - but its massive for him yet!

Olly 18+2

sorry bearbrains - i meant to add that basically do whats best for you and your partner. If daisy is happy then dont worry. But i do agree with what cinammon says in that old habits are hard to break - so maybe best to try and bring it forward gradually now rather than have a 2 year old that goes to bed after you do!

chelle I do manage to get when enoughs enough here! I got sweet potato rasberries blown at me tonight when I went 1 spoonfull too far

hahaha banana - Go Olly! You get her!

I have had projectile sweet potato to the shoulder....

Oh and he didn't take to rusks very well - liked them but couldn't keep it down.

Jodey love the name change! Might have to think of jazzing mine up a little too! Also no periods freaking me out now - will give it another few weeks before I have a nut!
cinnamon & newmum Separate lotto over here so its all mine! Actually have a pact with another friend that if either or us ever wins we will treat the other to a year off work - so will extend that to ye too!

Phoebe has an apnoea monitor in her cot which we bought when she had her episode at 3 days old. And to date we have had no issue with ie Phoebe has been fine and the monitor has never gone off. Until this morning. She woke at 6 starving so I gave her a bottle and settled her back into bed then at 7 the alarm went off on the monitor. It took me a second to realise what the noise was as I had dozed off and then I sat bolt upright called out DH name and turned on the light. That kind of jolted her and she woke up. I dont know if the alarm just went off, which DH is more inclined to believe, or whether she just took too long taking a breath. Im freaked out. And of course all this happens after the big debate of whether I should take unpaid leave or not blah blah. We are so broke (putting our house on the market next month) and we should keep what little money we have for next move or something but Im terrified of putting her into creche. I have spent the past two weeks just wanting to cry and constantly trying to pep talk myself to the point of it ruining what is left of my mat leave but now im just done for altogether.
Please give me some perspective/advice- I think Im going bonkers.

bearbrains, we used to have similar timings with Aphra until Christmas time - she used to be mostly pretty happy to stay up in the evenings, with some snoozing on DP's shoulder. On the plus side it did mean we could take her out in the evenings if we wanted to socialise with friends, and she would sleep even if out of the house. That changed gradually by itself, and we noticed she seemed a bit grumpier in the evenings and so we moved her bedtime back a bit earlier - currently she has her bath about now (or as early as 7:30 if we get it together) and is asleep by 9ish or even earlier. It does mean we can't now go out together in the evenings but we do get quiet time together instead.

cinnamon, can I pick your brains about childminding? I have got a list of local CMs, and tomorrow I want to ring a few so I can start the process of going and looking at some of them in advance of actually needing them.

• what should I look out for, other than how well they interact with Aphra and how I feel about them?
• I'm not sure whether it might be best to ring them during the day when they are working, or after the end of their day when they will be free to talk without the kids - but when they might justifiably not expect work calls. Seems a silly thing to worry about but I just wondered if there was an obvious time to ring or not to ring!

No need to give loads of details but if you have any obvious pointers that'd be great to know about - thanks in advance!

Could be the sugar SeaChelles, ds1 was always sick with really sweet things he couldn't have petit filous/little stars yogurts until he was over 18 months.

So sorry MammyG, I don't know what to say! I would like to say that money isn't the most important thing but I have just taken on a new child even though I'm knackered because I'm afraid of not earning enough. To be honest I would agree with your dh about the alarm but then I would never have one of those because of it freaking me out!

Oh MammyG That sounds very scary. I'm sure it was just a one off but puts the doubt in your mind. Can't give you any advice or perspective cos I'm a bit rubbish like that!

Just wanted to share, my friends ds is 6 months on friday. he weighs 22lb 10oz

Mammy - I can't really give you much positive advice - but you really aren't alone. I don't want to go back at all. Plus I've got to actually FIND a job after being made redundant!

I was just telling banana that I went to the job centre to sign on today (figured I've worked for the last 8 years straight and why shouldn't I claim back some of the tax I've paid!) and I've never been before and it was the most god awful place...I came out feeling like shit and having been treated like a complete waste of space.

I don't want to put Olly in to creche etc 5 days a week so have to go part time which will make it even harder to find something. But we are nearly on the bones of our arse too....is very hard.

I think the only solace we can take is in our beautiful babies. And making sure we take care of them - unfortunately we have to work to be able to give them the best.

I am also going bonkers too.....so don't worry. All I do now is panic about going back to work... Big hugs for you.xxx

Sorry comixminx x posts! I think your gut is the most important thing. Best to visit with children there in my opinion as it gives you an idea of how cm interacts with the children she already has/relationships she has with them. I am always happy to receive calls at any time of day but is easier to chat without kids.

Paperwork wise, she should have her certificate on show and if she doesn't show you a recent inspection report note down the ofsted number and look it up on line. You should also be able to see her policies but these are pretty much standard. You can also ask to see some activities she does, I have a folder with pictures of my toys, activites and visits I have done, been on.

It's so personal, I would like to see a clean house and well behaved but not intimidated children. A house where boundaries are set but you can also feel that everyone is relaxed. Others are not so bothered about cleanliness but want to see a wide range of toys. It's a very difficult relationship and if you get it right can be great so if you ahve any doubts walk away. That's all I can say really but if you have specific questions after you've visited feel free to ask!

I just wish I could talk myself out of this. I have known for the past few years that I am pushing myself too far physically and mentally and I guess Im just wondering how much longer I can sustain this for. I like who I am when I am at home and not a ball of stress. I know stress is a part of life etc but its just so constant the past two years. I have been really ill and its all been written off to stress. Now there is Phoebe. This past year with dad dying, Phoebe and rushing back to hospital with her I guess Ive had a real shift in priorities and a few epiphanies. I guess realising what is important to me and what I want to do but not being able to do it is well, making me very sad and frustrated. I cant voice these feelings to DH or any of my family so sorry for ranting on here but I think I am honestly teetering on depression. Ah shit what am i like. Need kick in the arse

MammyG Id stay at home, not advice so much just what Id do. For me the crunch is that these years pass by so quickly and they dont come back. Mind you, Im not in love with my job and we squeeze by on DPs wage at moment (This would change though if we ever bought our own place)

Two nights running Maia has leaked through so much we´ve had to change bedding (co-sleeping so both DP and I up and out for this). On the 2nd night DP says its because I dont put on her nappies on properly,
I polietly pointed out that he´d done the bedtime change the night before.!!

Maia seems to have started weaning herself, she just nicked a piece of bread from the table yesterday and sucked away happily for ages, then screamed when it fell out. I then gave her a slice of mandarin to taste and she´d sucked half out when I finally managed to pry it back off her.

Feel the same cinnamon re: birthday with kids, just sounds terrible in writing .

Awww mammy - I wish I could help....

I know its a stupid thing to advise as you've just said you cant...but you should really talk to DH.....xx

Mammy i dont know if it helps at all...but dp and i manage on 17 grand a year,before tax.no benefits.we have DD and arlo.
its not so hard,we havent had a holiday in years,and have no savings (except the DC'S)but day to day we mangage!
id like to go back to work,but if i did,with the DC's in childcare,id bring home £30 a month.
so for us,thats not worth the time id lose with the DC's.

but really,only you can make the decision...just thought id try to give you,some help?!

mammy sending you **
We have one of those monitors and it has gone off 3 times at around 1am. I'm convinced it wasn't due to Jack but more a freak of technology as he was totally fine and FAST asleep!
I have heard of a lot of these going off randomly but then you just never know I guess.
We do turn ours off most nights and just have the sound on but when he was poorly/hospitalised I was really glad of it.... so pleased we have the option of the movement sensor if we feel the need.

Just a thought!: We should have a syndicate for the lottery with all our lo's birthdays!
Then none of us would EVER have to think of $$$$ again!
Sure Start tomorrow with DaisyBears and BeerBrain Jack weighed 16lbs 3oz last week.... my guess is 17.5!!!!!

seachelle love your new pics!!!