November 09, new skills are fun - look what I can do now, Mum!

[DontWorryBaby]

New thread for our little handfuls!

I was advised by the nursery to take Lucy to see a gp. She has a cough, green snot and really raspy voice to go with the temp, so just want to check that there's nothing else lurking underneath the teething. Especially with the bank hols coming up. She's had this strange smelly breath for a while, am linking it to the stuffed nose (green snot means infected snot, doesn't it?), as I brush her teeth twice a day. Does anybody know what that could be? Poor girl, it hasn't been her time the last few days...

What are you all doing for Easter? I heard the weather should be glorious.

skorpion smelly breath and raspy voice/fever sounds like it could be a throat infection/tonsilitis. DD gets smelly breath when she has a sore throat, so do i. DS had this recently too, and although diagnosed with a chest infection it was likely a throat infection too. Good news is that DS felt better within 24 hours of antibiotics, had been unwell for about a week, then it turned from viral to infection after about 6-7 days. Poor lucy, it is really not nice when they are poorly, i hope she feels better soon. If it is her throat, cold water offered lots really helps, and if she likes sucking on ice an ice pole is good (also helps with teething).

what is the temp also? if it is 39+ most likely a secondary infection to the teething/any cold.

Thanks Pavlov, that's what I've started to think, too. Her temp jumps during the day, but does peak at 39. Have been giving her lots of water and she gulps it down greedily every time, she took a whole cup in the middle of the night. Seeing GP later on.

Skorpion I hope your dd feels better soon, my dr always says if a child's temp is over 37.5 then it's not teething. I agree it sounds like maybe she has a throat infection.

Any news Ursi ???

I've spent this morning trying to persuade the council that our new house doesn't have an annex and therefore we shouldn't have to pay 2 council tax bills We are banded a H already (which is far too high for the size of the house) and now they want to add more on by classing our office (a small lounge in their eyes) d/s bathroom, spare bedroom and utility ( 2nd kitchen to them) as a self contained unit. Still the woman has agreed we shouldn't be band H but I have a feeling that what they give with one hand they will take with the other!
Sorry rant over

I'm off to paint a pot with my sister and our 5 children this afternoon as an Easter treat, then home to pack the caravan for our weekend to Somerset.

Will be back later to see if Ursi has any news!

skorpion, any news from the GP? I hope he can help.

tigger enjoy your weekend. It sounds great.

Thanks to all of thinking of me today. Scan went well, everything seems fine and within the normal range and it seems as we are having a boy! I had thought rather a boy this time but wasn't sure at all. But for some reason I felt strange after the scan. Not sure if I was secretely hoping for a girl but anyway, I am now happy about it.
And it is definitely better balance for the next generation in our family.
Did I tell you that my SIL is pregnant too? About 10 weeks ahead of me. And now my sister as well, about 9 weeks after me. And my SIL's brother just had one and her sister is due around my due date. So her daughter will actually have 4 cousins within 3 month before and after her. Definitely a good baby year

Lovely news Ursi! So pleased for you. Boys are wonderful!

ursi lots of babies around you now! congratulations on likely a boy! just from my own view, I was a little reluctant at the thought of having a boy at first, for a few weeks, and then it grew on me, and now, well now I can't imagine that I would ever considered it being different.

A bit tmi, but R does not yet have solid poo, anyone else notice that? he started to a few months ago, then stopped and now he has the odd nappy, but mostly it is quite gloopy still. I can't remember when it turned 'adult' with DD, but thought it was earlier than now (i remember when she had scrambled eggs, which was around 8 months).

Ursi congrats on your son!! I agree that boys are just fab!

skorpion hope Lucy is feeling better, we've had a similar thing here all weekend. Molar coming in at the back so dreadful nappies, wheezy, hot, snotty and sleepless (apart from on me) all weekend. He seems on the mend now but it took it's toll. I do wonder if when they're teething badly then their immunity is low and so pick up any bugs floating around? Anyway, calpol all the way for us as it was all that would console him (sort of) and sleeping on or next to me, with me rocking him when he woke crying. It was a tiring weekend....

Pav thanks for asking, DH is DH at the moment! We are still getting on well, communicating and seeing how things go. He has just extended the lease on the flat as it's been nearly 6 months now and that feels like the right thing to do. We see each other quite regularly and the trip gave us both a chance to see if we missed each other, which we did. We do stuff with the boys at the weekend and have the odd date night when we can fit it in. I think we'd both say the odds of patching things up are better than 50/50 but both are wary of rushing anything just yet. He's planning to come away with us in July, and I think if we make it that far and the holiday is a success then that will move us nearer to a proper reconciliation. I think we would both need to be sure that we could be together without losing ourselves that we've individually discovered before we could become a permanent family again if that makes sense - the space to work out who we are now we're in our late 30's (as opposed to late 20's when we met) and whether those two people are compatible only comes along once in life.

I have rediscovered the joys of online shopping this evening, delivery for tomorrow. Whilst I could possibly shave off some money by going personally and scouring the offers etc., I have saved my sanity and the petrol from the comfort of my armchair and think I should get back into this habit!!

Pav oh and no real solid nappies here either, apart from when he was constipated so that doesn't count. I think I remember it to be nearer 2/2.5 that happens but I may well be wrong...

How exciting, ursi! Great that you have so many other babies in the family around the same age.

skorpion poor Lucy, hope she feels better soon.

Hi Pav, great to hear from you! Go Roo, sleep the night away! Hate it when work spills over into home life. Hope that doesn't last too long.

tigger very frustrating that the council can't get your situation straight. Sounds like you have fun plans for the weekend, at least!

It's been a crazy couple weeks here. I very suddenly have an interview for a job in New York which is fully the opposite side of the country and not somewhere I'd been thinking I ever needed to live... but it's an extremely interesting position and I really need a job so it'd be hard to turn it down! DH is on board for a relocation, he'd get to quit his job and stay home with M for a while, which he's been wanting to do... anyway, will cross that bridge if we come to it. Exciting to think about possibilities.

M finally seems to be "getting" the language thing. She only has a few words but she knows lots of animal noises and some signs and she's using them all more confidently. Right now (other than mama, daddy, hi, bye, NO) she says "dog", "baby", "apple", and "knee". Funny what she picks up on!

scarlotti, I really admire you and your DH for dealing so well with the situation. It seems as what ever comes out will be the best for all of you.

Pavlov, Paula has quite solid poo but as I have already mentioned, I don't think she drinks enough. So on days where I manage to get more liquid in her (she is addicted to chicken soup), the poo gets soft the next day. So I was actually wondering too how it is supposed to be.
And actually, I had been thinking of you and your stories about your two lovely children when I went back home from the scan as I was hoping Paula and her brother will get the same kind of relationship.

Thank you all for your nice words. And I know boys are great. If you would see Paula you could actually very often think she is one :)
I think I was mainly irritated by the way how the sonographer told us. It was quick "a boy", no explanation or showing us (as she had done with the rest of the scan)

Ursi Congratulations on your blue bump! It can be a bit of an anticlimax finding out (especially when the sonographer isn't as excited as you are!), but it has definitely helped us bond with the bump both times and plan for things like decorating etc.

Longwayaway Sounds like things could be about to change, big time! Good luck with the interview.

Pav Very few solid nappies here. Some are better than others but I hadn't been too concerned about it. I'm sure I read recently that it takes childern two years for their digestive system to mature so I think we probably have a few months yet. Ethan can now tell us when he has done a poo. I know there's a big step between that and telling us he needs to do a poo but potty training might be something I'll need to look into shortly... I wouldn't know where to begin! Other than buying an actual potty...

Scarlotti Online shopping is fab! I really like the family meal planner on Sainsburys - 5 meals to feed four adults with all ingredients for under £20. Haven't found sainsbos to be the best when it comes to delivery service but you have the option of downloading the recipes and shopping list from their site and going elsewhere. Glad you and DH are making progress. I know a few couples who have separated and been stronger afterwards for it. Good luck to you.

Skorpion Hope Lucy is feeling better.

The sunshine seems to have finally made it to Glasgow so I hope you are all making the most of some nice weather! I was 35 weeks yesterday, have 13 working days left spread over three weeks and hoping to finish on 13th May, baby due on 24th.

Following on from Sirboob and her boobs' appearance on that breastfeeding program - did anyone watch the program with Jono Lancaster on BBC3 last night? One of my good friends is now on the waiting list for IVF PGD so it was very interesting but really emotive, I was in tears a few times. Makes you realise how lucky you are to have an easy, healthy pregnancy and child.

We have a celebrity in our midst? A boob celebrity? Wow, must look up the program on iplayer.

DWB, haven't seen the BBC3 show, but have the same thoughts whilst watching anything scary on OBEM or any show like that. I noticed I also can't really watch anything with children suffering anymore. Turned into a right sop...

Longway, this sounds such an opportunity! Good luck.

Ursi, congratulations, glad to hear everything is well. And so many babies!

Tigger, oh, how frustrating for you! I can imagine they are not the easiest people to deal with. Anyway, your weekend plans sound very good, hope you have a great time.

Thanks very much everybody for your advice and words about Lucy. She has ear infection in both ears, not sure if viral or bacterial, but got given anitbs. I'm thinking bacterial (infected snot) as after just one dose of the meds she seems to be over the worst Poor thing went through a bit of a crisis last night, looked really poorly and in pain, but dosed up on calpol, nurofen and the antibs slept OK and woke up in a good mood for the first time in nearly a week. Phew, hope that she starts eating now and we can have our usual happy child back.

On talking, she has started to repeat sounds a lot, no proper words yet, but I am thinking it's to do with the bi-lingual environment she's in. We are however working on body parts, she mastered showing her tummy a long while ago, and has great fun showing where her nose is. As Fruit said earlier, this age is brilliant, isn't it?

Last night's program was "So what if my baby is born like me?". SirBoob was in "Is Breast Best?" Think they might both be available on iplayer, worth watching.

Glad Lucy appears to be over the worst of it. We've yet to have a really poorly baby, been lucky to only have had a few colds so far and still only have 8 teeth so I think we might be in for some sleepless nights ahead!

This is a brilliant age, so much fun. Do you know the song "Head, shoulders, knees & toes" Skorpion? Ethan loves that, but only manages head, eyes, nose and ears so far. He tried the 'shoulder' action one day but curled his arm the wrong way and ended up looking like he was doing a monkey impression.

Ursi Congratulations on a healthy scan and baby boy news.

Fruit, love the yogurt tubes!

skorpion glad to hear Lucy is now on the mend and the anti-b's have kicked in. Poor wee sausage. Also, bilingual children do normally take longer to start speaking however when they do, you get both languages at once and there's no delay in development or anything of that sort. A friend of mine's children are bilingual and it's just marvellous to see. It opens up the linguistic part of the brain early on and they will always then have a flair for languages

Ok, stupid question - am liking the idea of frozen frubes for teething - am assuming you then take it out of the packet so they can chew on it?!! (told you it was stupid)

We too are doing body parts - mainly facial so we have eyes, nose, mouth - nose is the cutest as it comes out more as noooo!! My favourite has to be when I hear mummy though he now says it when I pick him up at the childminder and it has such a sound of delight at my presence in it that just melts my heart

Longwayaway fab news on the job so fingers crossed it all works out for you.

DWB not long at all to go now then!! How exciting!

So many lovely pieces of news here today.

Great to hear the news of you and DH scarlotti Date nights and living apart sound like they're bringing the romance back into your relationship - you deserve it so enjoy it!

Congratulations ursi on having a healthy little boy on the way. Fantastic news, a little brother for Paula!

Exciting news for you too longway! A move to New York eh? DH is there at the moment and seeing very good friends of ours who moved just a few weeks ago from oxford with a little one born in November 09 too - if you go, I must hook you up...

DWB - yes! We have a monkey impression on Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes too And poking her eyes out on the last verse, tehee! 35 weeks and sun shining. Exciting! We are in Dunblane at the moment visiting my dad while DH away in USA. Were in Edinburgh today in the sunshine, ahh, so lovely.

Poor, poor little Lucy skorpion. Glad she is turning the corner now and hope she's all better very soon.

Another like for the frubes tubes - we've had a few rocky days where Rosa won't eat dinner because of molars coming in. poor lambs....

Oh - and Hi Pavlov! from FB, sounds like you had a good night last night ?

Scarlotti, I think I would lob off the end and give it to them to suck from the packet. I predict mess galore of melting yogurt if you just give it to them without wrapping :)

DWB, sorry, meant to say I will look up the tune and get DH to practice. Should be fun.

Scarlotti, yes, I can't wait for her to start talking. It's quite hard to imagine having proper conversations...

MsI hope Rosa doesn't suffer too much with the teeth, poor thing.

skorpion. I remove some of the wrapping near the top and we work our way down. Might be a bit too cold straight out of freezer so I leave it out for a couple of mins before giving iti to him.

DH took me for a wonderful meal last night at Gauchos. There steaks are devine and my mouth is watering thinking about it! I also felt a little tipsy on a small glass of dessert wine! Wine really doesn't agree with me it seems. It was nice to be out together with no interuptions and feeling like grown up.

Good luck long way! Been to NY once a few years ago and loved it.

Been meaning to ask. C still needs a couple of naps a day, around 1.5 hrs per nap. But occasional days he will refuse the aftenoon sleep. What are your toddlers doing on the nap front? Would love to get him down to one long nap a day. Hard though as he is an early riser.

Fruit we have one nap here, about ten-ish for about two hours. Also I'm the same on the wine front. I have a tiny bit and I feel horrible. glad you had a nice meal!
Ursi Congrats on the good scan, boys are lovely!

Do you think this is related to teeth?

Rosa has a lump/swelling, quite firm, on her jaw/neck/ear area on her left side. She is all right in herself - chirpy as usual but it is clearly tender. I have made an emergency GP appointment (we are still in Scotland visiting my dad) which we are going to in about an hour. She's having a nap now.

It was really alarming to feel how firm it is. I onl noticed when i cupped her face in my hands earlier, although this morning when she was sitting on top of me in bed, I was thinking how chubby her face looked .

My consolation is that she is not miserable. Will just have to see what the doctor says...

naps: Rosa has 2 if she's at home/grandparents and 1 only on nursery days as they do lunchtime naps, which I then have to wake her up from when I pick her up at 1pm = disaster! She can keep going til 1.30ish on those days I think because there's so much to DO and be distracted by that she doesn't want to sleep.