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

[DontWorryBaby]

New thread for our little handfuls!

ursi I think whatever works for you and your family is the way to go. Children are very adaptable and will fit with whatever. Here at home, the boys have their own rooms (and DD but she's nearly 17!!) with I's being just off mine. All sleep all night in their own room mostly, then in the morning the two boys come into me and depending on the time we doze, or I doze whilst they play!
At DH's flat he only has one bedroom so they are all in there. DS1 has a camp bed and I is in a travel cot. All are now used to being in the same room so DS1 now sleeps through any crying etc. It took a while for that to happen, but I think if that's what you have from day 1 then Paula will just sleep through from the start.

Going through a bit of a rough patch hence lack of posts but will be back on here soon

Sorry to hear of rough patch scarlotti. Thinking of you and sending strength.

wook - Bloody ofsted...what a pain. We are still sorting out nursery/grandparents + DH doing an afternoon or so here. When she's 2 she can go to our very local pre-school daycare which I can't wait for - literally half the price of nursery and way more flexible hours.

Words - woof, duck, dada (in a very high pitched voice), mummy (always in a low-pitched voice!), dowwww(n), booo(k), bawwww(l), and more that I can't remember apart from a new one last night - cheese! Important word in our house

Scarlotti, hope all is well soon.

Sleeping - Lucy starts off in her own room but moves into our bed every night. Any time after 10pm, with the occasional earlier time, like last night (9.30). I did think of trying to get her to sleep through in her own cot, but the effort involved put me off every time. Not sure what it will be like when the baby is here, probably a repeat of what happened with Lucy - crib next to me - with the addition of the big sister in with us. I think I'll just let her move in her own time, she's not going to want to sleep in her old folks' bed when she's a teenager, is she

Camping trip went very well. Fantastic site, didn't get rained on even though it was quite cold. Lucy got her first taste of bucket and spade play on a beach. Fish and chips taste sooooo much better at the seaside! And best of all we decided to come back on Sunday, so avoided packing up a soggy tent and spending half a day in traffic. Would definitely go back there.

Enjoy half term Ladies!

skorpion camping sounds good! We have not yet gone been too busy and weather has sucked a bit too. Roo will love it. But not sure about the whole sleeping arrangements. I cannot do travel cot as it messes with my back going from floor to up then back down then up, but, last time I was nursing him every other bleeding hour, so maybe this time will be better, we have got a readybed for him, but he does not yet sleep with us without waking and wiggling the entire time. Plus DD loves to get in with us at 4am or so, so we might need a bigger air mattress now!

Oh I know I say it all the time but I love this age! I just love it, I love watching Roos' expressions and speech developing, watching him learn how to interact. It is like watching a film for the second time, seeing those bits you missed the first time, or connecting developments and changes in ways I did not before. Roo loves to draw. he gets upset when any kind of pen/pencil/crayon is not given immediately to him, he will take one if he sees it lying around and goes to the nearest book/paper/bill and scribble with such concentration! He does the same with books, will pass them, sit on the floor and point to the book and then the floor wanting it read to him. He loves french nursery rhymes (in particular Crocodile and Biquette, look them up if you have time, on youtube, fabulous!). He has such a temper, and such passion for happy things too. B loves him very much and cares for him so well, picks him up when he falls, gets him out of bed in the morning, runs after him when he runs off, and he woops and squeals with delight the whole time.

He also likes chucking his food on the floor. which is not so good, but we will manage!

Pavlov, I know what you mean! We're often to be found just staring at Lucy in disbelief that this tiny prune we brought home with us on that cold December day is walking, talking (-ish), doing so much! She loves drawing, too, and if I'm sitting on the floor with her she'll give me a book and then wriggle her bum into my lap for us to read together. I can't wait to see what sort of a big sister she'll make.

WRT camping, we took the travel cot with us, but it just took up space, she only used it on the first night for a couple of hours. All the other times she just went to sleep on our mattress and stayed there for the night. Too cold to get up to her in the other 'bedroom' in the tent and I was a bit concerned about her staying covered at such low temps - she doesn't sleep in a sleeping bag anymore and just kicks her covers off all the time. It worked out fine.

What's a readybed?

Hi all - I have written a post a good three times and then somehow not posted it, but I have been keeping up (or trying) with most things. MsI how is Rosa now? Your hospital stay must have been awful, and so scary. I hope things are good now.
Scarlotti - I'm sorry to hear of your rough patch, I hope things improve soon.
DWB been following your news on FB - Luke looks fantastic, and I'm loving the photos! Hope things are as calm as can be.
Had a bit of a rough patch here too, with Harry having to have an operation at 9 weeks old. IT was awful, I was not brave! He had two inguinal hernias that were threatening to strangulate and they wanted to operate as soon as poss. Initially they said wait until he's two, but they were getting quite bad and into his scrotum , so they did it early on. I was so frightened But he's ok now, and it's over and done with. Finding it hard to be honest, having two as not getting much sleep, but mostly finding it hard with DH as he is very busy at work, and comes back to a whirlwind and so feel like we don't get time to talk about anything other than domestic things.
Anyway, didn't mean to come on here and moan! Will try and post more often and keep up to date with you all.
Ursi and Skorpion, how are the pregnancies going?
Fruit sorry to hear about the bad nights. These back teeth seem to be troublesome, don't they.
Juicy v impressed by Annabelle's speech! Sam's isn't all that great yet.
Hi to everyone else!

Oh, Katster, that does sound scary. Poor thing, to have to go through such a thing at such a tiny age... Hope he's fine now and things settle for all of you.

PG going fine, thank you for asking. Flying by, actually, can't believe how far gone I am already.

All the best xx

katster sorry to hear what Harry and you all have been through, but glad he's now on the mend.

DWB Luke looks just gorgeous!

Thanks for all the well wishes - DH and I are still trying to work out things between us but it's a bit of a roller coaster ride. Hopefully though all the talking and effort will bring us back together stronger than before, but it is taking time. Guess that's to be expected really - am not the most patient of people though!

Camping - am definitely up for it! I have a bid on eBay at the moment for a tent so hoping I win it. I had thought about a ready bed for Ioan too (skorpion they are little blow up beds with integrated duvet type cover, just brilliant things) so handy to know that they work.

We have almost cracked walking here!! Have had the odd step, but he now walks up and down for ages with his walker so I feel we're on the home stretch now! I am loving this age too, just so funny and personality just shining through. My two boys play so beautifully together now - wrestling around on the floor, out in the garden on the slides (even Ioan can climb up and slide down now!) and they chat away (ish) together when sitting at the table for food. It's just lovely to watch the relationship develop between them - I'm just so glad that our decision (and my brow beating DH ) to have a younger sibling for DS1 has worked out so well. Just as Ioan is becoming old enough to interact with DS1, DD is focussing more on her social life and has become self absorbed to the oblivion of the rest of us so the timing has really worked out well!!
Thank heavens I have about a 10 year break before I go through this parenting teenagers again - they are indeed another species!!

So .... camping then .... do we want to think about a more central location? Or should we work out who is up for it, then try and find a convenient place for us all? I'll get the ball rolling - I am in, and I am happy to bring SirB and Bryn along so that's two sets of us from Brighton way. Happy to travel for a couple of hours too.

I really really really want to come along camping with you all as haven't met any of you yet and am dying to as you all feel like friends to me already but depending where it is will mean whether I can go or not cos I cant drive so am hoping it wont be too too far then I might be able to do it. am dorset but I know that is a long way for most of you, I dont mind where it is particularly though.

Skorpion how many weeks are you now? Is it about 25 or am I completely befuddled?! It seems to go quicker, second time around doesn't it!

Scarlotti it sounds like you're making good progress with DH - it can't be easy. Stick with it and hopefully you will get there in the end. Also love to hear about your two DSs playing so well together - I really hope to see my two bond like yours are doing one day. What is the age gap between them? Teenagers are indeed another species....I am naively hoping that boys are less scary than girls as teenagers!!

yes, it is a lovely age and it is great how quickly and though differently they develop and already show us their personalities.
And as it seems, I already got an outlook how life will be with a teenager!
About two nights ago I woke up before Paula and could watch her waking up. I was just thinking how cute she looked with all her stretching and rubbing her face into the pillow when she lifted her head, looked in my eyes and said:.......
"no cuddeling"!
I then opened her sleeping bag as she usually wants to climb all over us but she just climbed out of bed and walked away with me saying and actually later shouting: "Paula? Paula? Where are you going? Please come back! Paula!?" She didn't seem to even hear me and just walked away. Eventually I had to jump out of bed to catch her before she could reach the stairs.

Oh, my breakfast is ready, so will comment on other posts later.

katster, that must have been so scary for you and your husband, glad to hear that things are fine now. And I hope you will both find occasional little moments where you can enjoy being a couple rather than just talking about household,...
Thanks for asking about the pregnancy. Things are going well, I'm almost at the end of the second trimester already and haven't prepared anything so far. Hopefully we will at least decide about the changes in our flat this weekend and then order some furniture too.
I will have my appointment with the consultant on tuesday but tbh, I don't think it will be useful.
I will also have my blood tested once again for my antibodies and from this week on I will have to do it every second week. Last time it took them over two weeks to get the results which I find a bit ridiculous and worrying. What if the level suddenly rises? I guess than they should monitor the baby quicker than that.
Anyway, the little man is moving so much and strongly that I am not worried at the moment.

scarlotti, sorry to hear that you are not feeling great but keep strong. I really admire you how you are trying to make things working.
And so nice to hear about your two DSs, I am really looking forward to those times when my two can play together.

I hope everybody is enjoying the nice weather, although I have to say, it doesn't have to be hot aaaall the time now

Katster, just had to check the calendar - 24 weeks. To be honest I am counting the weeks left to work more than the weeks of pg gone at the moment... Life is a bit chaotic at present and I am naively and probably stupidly hoping that once I'm on mat leave I can bring some order and peace here... Idiot, I know...

Ursi, I should hope that because they decided to monitor you in the first place they'll get their act together and do it properly this time. Hope all is well.

I know exactly what you mean about the glimpses of things to come. We also get the funny looks and the 'get out of my face' gestures... I can just imagine Paula trotting off, probably muttering something under her breath So funny! We have also had some occasions of straight to the floor and wail behaviour when Lucy does not get her way. She seems to be very strong willed and it's a bit scary if thought of seriously... Unfortunately (or perhaps not) so far my only reaction is to burst out laughing, cracks me up every time, there's just something about a tiny tot getting soooo stroppy that is just funny. Give me a few more months and I will probably not find it so anymore...

Very strong-willed here too. Annabelle does not want her nappy on today so most of the afternoon she has been walking about the lounge in just her t-shirt and pink spotty wellies. She did wee in the potty earlier as I have it in the lounge and sometimes she sits on it and I think she surprised herself as she looked a bit surprised when she realised she'd wee'd in it but happy when I said well done. Am hoping this is a good sign as we've had so many toilet training problems with ds.

Oh it's been too long! I haven't even congratulated DWB on Luke yet! Congrats!!

scarlotti big hugs - agree with others, it's admirable how you're persevering with DH.

katster sorry to hear about the scare with Harry, glad he's back on the upswing.

Pav I've been trying to get M interested in drawing, but she's more interested in taking the crayons out of the box and putting them back in. You're so right, though, this age is so much fun!

ursi Agreed, if they decided you needed to be monitored frequently they should have the decency to look at the results right away! Had to laugh at the "no cuddling" comment - my LO doesn't ever want to cuddle either, anymore.

On the subject of camping - DH is very excited to go this summer, but I'm hesitant... M is used to sleeping in a dark, quiet room and I just don't know how she'll deal with sleeping a tent with no noise insulation. Has anyone gone camping with a toddler and regretted it? or am I worrying for nothing?

In other news I think I might be cough mumble pregnant Need to go buy a test kit... we didn't plan it exactly but we also weren't entirely careful... Normally I wouldn't be worried if I'm a few days late but I've been so damn regular the last 3-4 months that it's freaking me out!

Oo oo oo Longwayaway exciting!!! Hurry up and do your test, I'm dying to hear your news!

All going well here - Luke is feeding brilliantly and was 9lbs11 on Fri at 10days old, up from 9'3 at birth. Sleeping well - we're co-sleeping, which wasn't planned, but definitely getting lots of sleep. Will probably try to move him into the cradle in the next few weeks but night-time feeds are a breeze in bed. I have my mum to help until I'm going solo from Thursday on but have already had one day and one dinner&bedtime alone and both have gone smoothly so I'm a little less worried. It'll only be around three weeks before summer hols start and DH will be here for seven weeks.

scarlotti thinking of you, hope you are ok. x

thats good, DWB sounds like you're coping well with two, I remember the first time with two on my own, I was terrified but once you have done it you realise it isn't really that bad with two, as long as you dont rush but try to do things at your own pace and not to worry if things dont get done right away then it is fine.

Annabelle doesnt mind cuddling, but if I ask her for a kiss all I get is "NOOooooo!" but Daddy is a different matter completely, he gets all the kisses he would like. lol.

Longwayaway congratulations!! Ah, lots of lovely siblings on the way

DWB well done on the solo tea & bedtime, it's much less daunting the second time around I think. I definitely think co-sleeping during feeds is the way to go, with Ioan he used to start off in his hammock, then be in with me from the first feed onwards. I got so much more sleep than with DS1 which made all the difference as you don't get to nap when they nap when you have a toddler around!

Juicy well done on the potty! Girls do seem to get it earlier and quicker than boys so don't worry.

Ursi hope your consultant appointment went well and you're all ok.

Well we almost have walking here, finally! He's up and down constantly with his walker and can walk holding someone's hand so I don't think it will be long. So sweet to see DS1 taking him for a walk, two little blond heads walking along. We went to a indoor fun place the other day and DS1 was sticking up for him when another child was getting a bit boisterous!! Lovely.

Thanks for all the lovely thoughts too, things are looking a bit more positive at the moment so hopefully that will continue for a while. We're both pulling in the same direction now so that can only be a good thing I'm sure!

DD is just on the last leg of her AS exams - it's so wierd sometimes having such an age gap - she's nearly an adult now which is just a scary thought!!

Test was negative... Guess I'll try testing again in a few days if there are no new developments.

Hi all,

First of all massive congrats to DWB, Luke looks gorgeous, just like his big brother well done you!

Scarlotti glad to hear things are more positive with you and dh. Fingers crossed for you both.

Longway sorry the result was negative but like you say it might be worth testing in a few days...

Lovely to hear all the pregnancy news and general stuff about our toddlers, I'm loving this age too! Millie can really communicate with me now and if she is upset i say 'tell mama what's wrong' and she normally can. She says wet when she's thirsty and more when she's finished something yummy (especially cheese and she actually says 'more cheese') also if i ask her something she says yes please which sounds so polite and cute! Her and ds play together more and more and I can see how lovely it will be as they get older.

We are back in Singapore after a lovely two weeks in England. I had such a great time and felt very sad to come back but I'm ok now. I know we moan about England but being here the thing that strikes me is actually we are very polite and friendly, I love Singapore but the people here can be bloody rude, especially when you put them behind a wheel of a car and in fact are damn right dangerous. Anyway, I love England and can't wait to visit again at Christmas!

The kids are so jet lagged (and I suspect millie is teething too, I can't wait till she has all her teeth). I haven't had a decent nights sleep since last Thursday and last night we resorted to dh taking her for a walk in the buggy at midnight to make her go to sleep. Nightmare. We've gone back to co sleeping, oh well, like some now said they won't want to do it when they're teenagers!!

Longway, I'm really sorry that the result was negative, will wait for news in a couple of days.

helips, I'm sure you enjoyed your holiday back home. Hopefully the whole family will be over the jet lag soon.

scarlotti, well done on the walking front. It really sounds as he will soon be able to run around and thanks for asking about my appointment, in fact I had a rather horrible morning in the antenatal clinic.
I don't want to get into detail but I was rather depressed on the way home. Not because of bad news, just because of the whole situation in general. Once again no real information, didn't even speak to the consultant I thought I was going to see, only a young doctor. Her explanation reminded me much of a student who is doing a presentation without knowing what she was talking about. Hmm, but I didn't expect much better anyway. Taking bloods took two attempts and then it even took ages to fill 5! bottles in total (once again the first midwife didn't even know what I was talking about), I will have to come back in 2 weeks although I am quite sure that that was a mistake by the doctor. As there was no appointment left, they will squeeze me in, once again more waiting time for me and others. And I will probably have to take Paula which means I can not do the blood test then as I really don't want her climbing all over me with a needle in my arm.
I am just happy that the first time everything went smoothly. If today would have been my first contact with the antenatal care at my hospital, I would probably have waited with a second child until I am back in Austria. I know it is unfair, I'm sure they all did their best and there is just not enough staff available, but I really thought that actually no ones seems to know anything. And I do not understand: If there is a paper for me that I have to come in every two weeks for bloods, why is there no information for the staff, telling them that people like me do exist and how much blood and which tiny bottle they need to take.
Oh, and then obviously being able to get the results in a reasonable time.
I am just lucky that this little man is kicking so strongly now that I can be sure that he is not anaemic :)

So that was me NOT going into detail. Sorry for the rant, ladies.
It is really nice to come hear and read funny stories about our cute toddlers.

Ursi, what a mare, don't know what to say really, it's all quite shocking, isn't it? I'm glad you have the reassurance of the little one being so active, even if that doesn't really counter the appalling care you're receiving. I wish I had some wise words of advice...

ursi I'd be tempted to skip scheduling appointments if they're so pointless! Let them call me and beg me to come in if they're so sure I need bloods taken. Glad the little man is kicking - so very reassuring!

Thanks for the support ladies. Longway, I wonder if they would even realise that I am not showing up for my blood appointments.... if I only have to go there for bloods, I can go whenever I want, I'm not on a list.
And even if it takes ages for them to get results, at least they can tell that two weeks before everything was fine. So I don't mind that they take it. I just wish they would be able to test them quicker or that I could do anything about it.
And the midwifes I had seen so far were really trying to help, even called the laboratory when the first result came and they didn't know what it meant.
It is just a shame that they do not get better informed about what to do with people like me.

Anyway, there was one good moment too. In the hallway I saw the midwife that delivered Paula (obviously she didn't remember me and it was too busy that I would have started to introduce myself) and it gave me good memories :)

Ursi I forgot to say - the same midwife delivered both my boys!! Could happen for you.