Dec 08 Mums - Snot Beards, Farty Boos and Willy Milk (not how it sounds!) - let the fun continue!

[Beans33]

Here we are x

trace, if you think JB would be ok with it, can you PM me her address and I'll send on the 'tiny baby' size clothes that Rubes and LadyT sent to me, E has now outgrown them

in fact she's following her sister, she got weighed on Fri and has gone from 6lb 11 to 9lb 6 in 6 weeks and is nearly on the 91st centile for her gestational age. :)

That's really lovely to hear about baby JB and that she can BF - hooray! It must have been quite something to hold her. Jolly if you're lurking, I'm thinking of you, hope she gets stronger every day.

JJ that's fantastic about the weight gain, you must have some quality stuff in those boobs.

I am getting close to breaking point here, Billy is in agony more than ever, screaming during every feed and only making it through about half of what he should have for his size. Am terrified he'll not be putting on weight and we'll have to go in again.

Went to GP on Fri and she was useless, just said start adding Gaviscon to his feeds again and see how we go. Am going again tomorrow, he's in agony the whole time, now barely sleeps at all even in the night, can't bring up any wind, is constipated and can't feed. I feel so angry that we were inpatients for two fucking weeks and he's in a worse state now than when we went in. Sorry, I just feel so powerless and upset that my poor baby is constantly in pain and the might of the medical profession has, in my opinion, totally failed him, other than diagnosing something that they're not treating him effectively for.

Spot this crap. You need a referral to a proper gastro team, or at least a follow up with whoever you saw in hospital. Where they just peadiatricians, or were they an actual gastro team?

JJ and ZJ I have (hopefully) sent you a PM with Jolly's address. Can you let me know whether it worked? Thanks :)
Spot you poor thing. I've no idea what to suggest but I really really feel for you and wish there was something I could do to help you and to relieve little B's pain. Is your HV involved and is she any good? Would she be able to fight any of your battles with you? And how is T's collar bone now? How is DP with it all?
urbs how are you today? Is ds any better? have you taken him to the docs? I took L when she was just pale and not quite right - she was fine but it was reassuring that she didn't have any of the horrendous things I was imagining she had.

Jolly great to hear from you and so pleased you have had a wee squidge with your lovely girl. Fingers crossed she continues to improve.

JJ, fantastic news on the weight gain, you are clearly going great guns.

Spot, I am so sorry that things are still so tough for poor little B and for you. You need a proper referral. Is there a different, mor sympathetic GP on whom you could cry and DEMAND that he gets to see someone soon? Huge hugs to you. I have something which I am going to pop in the post for you tomorrow so do keep an eye out.

How are you doing Trace? Have you seen the psych again? It must be nearly a month since you were signed off - are you feeling better? Has any decision been made about going back? Am thinking of you.

Urbs, so sorry you feel lousy darling. Hope you are now on the mend.

I am just out for a wee run. Back later.

Hello ladies. If anyone has watched any sports news you will know we have had a difficult afternoon. DH is in a bit of a mood with it all now. Hey Ho, we are healthy.

Now to Jolly, Trace can you tell her that is wonderful, tell her not to stress about the pumping, its not always easy but just plug away, maybe even look at hand expressing if she is finding the pump difficult. JJ may have some tips on expressing as she expressed for DD2, or I'd be happy to start a thread on here then relay the opinions of others with experience of expressing for a premmie. Hang on, Trace, you have had experience of this, what am I talking about you are probably best placed to help out. So exciting that she got a cuddle. Lots of touch, even if its just reaching into the incubator/cot is brilliant. Good that she had some time of oxygen too. That's promising.

Right, have just put DS2 to sleep for the first time in a proper big bed. DH made the boys double bunk today. Both boys were so excited. I don't think I needed to worry about a loft bed as DS2 has been scampering up and down between the 2 beds all afternoon with no falls. We have put a little mattress down anyway as the lower bunk doesn't have a guard rail.

We also acquired DF2 today so far she has spent most of the afternoon under the couch and there is no worry about the two cats fighting as they are both so timid they have just kept completely away from each other.

hi.
vag I will pass that on to Jolly. Glad you're in your new place and that's exciting about the bunk beds - how is it going? Are they both still in bed? We just got L a new bed - because her old bed made it almost impossible to get in the room, which isn't the best way to try to sell a house, so she now has a newly arranged room. We're officially on the market now so I guess it's just waiting to see what the interest is now.
sybil thanks for asking about me. I''ve not really wanted to post about me because I feel like it's boring/annoying for people to read. I feel like I'd like to post that I'm feeling loads better, but that would be a lie so I can't say that, then I worry that you will all be cross with me for not being better. I don't mean that because you're all horrible, I just feel so mixed up, so it's been easier not to post. Anyway - since you asked...yes this is the end of week 4 off work and I don't know what's happenning about going back. My GP sick note said 6 weeks, which I thought was ridiculous and unnecessary, but now, 4 weeks in, I can't imagine going back to work yet. I'm feeling pretty low, don't ever want to get up in the morning but I do because I have to, spending lots of time crying and can't help thinking my family would be better off without me. I go to bed as soon as possible on an evening. I don't really enjoy much at the moment, then feel guilty that I'm not getting pleasure from spending time with my family. The smallest things overwhelm me, such as thinking about what to make for tea, and I just sit in tears unable to make a decision or to imagine being able to cook it. I feel jealous of everyone around me who can cope with life and wonder if I'll ever be able to function properly again. My consultant is off sick with a broken leg so I'm not sure who will get to make the decision about me going back to work, but the CPN is ringing me tomorrow and visiting on Thursday so I can ask her about it. So - that's where I'm at - but it seems so selfish and wrong to post it, when there are a) people with actual problems and issues to face (Spot, Urbane, Jolly), and b) lots of amazing, happy news of new babies and other happy things, and I don't want to ruin that.

Trace are you having weekly chats with your cpn? You dont need to worry at all about talking to us please please post if you feel able. We are all here for each other whatever whenever!

JB that is so lovely you have had a squidge.

So on the hunt for addresses again, jb, wg & katie. If anyone has them can you FB or PM me. Ta.

Vag didn't see the final score but the first half was a bit rubbish. Hope the boys enjoy their big bunks.

Hi Jam I've PM'd you with Jolly's address. Yes I'm seeing the CPN once a week and she's ringing in between visits.

Trace - I'm sorry you are still finding things so hard. I really hope you will continue to post about how you are feeling if it is at all helpful for you to do so. You can get through this. You have before haven't you? Big hugs to you.

Spot - Poor, poor Billy. I can only second what others are saying about pushing to see a paediatric gastro expert. It must be so hard for you to see your baby in such pain and feel that medics can do nothing to help. How is T dealing with his bro screaming so much?

Jolly - lovely news that your little girl is starting to breath unassisted. And how lovely that they are letting you breastfeeding. I hope the pumping gets easier soon.

JJ - great news about E's weight. Re the noisy nights we had to move DD2 into her own room at 8 weeks as I couldn't sleep with a snorting, snuffling little being all night. Are the earplugs still helping?

WG - fab names. Are you home now? I hope so. What does R think of
G?

Veg - your new cat looks gorgeous. So fluffy! Do the boys love her?

Urbs - how are you feeling now? You sound like you need a weekend away. Any chance of securing one?

I am back to work tomorrow. Quite sad about that as I enjoyed seeing the girls all last week. Even if they did exhaust me. DD1 is sad I am going back to which makes it harder. It's going to be a stressful week as I will be v busy at work and the packers come on Thursday and we move on Friday.

Trace, I for one like to hear how you are getting on. Well I don't like hearing how hard things are for you, but hearing it makes me feel a bit like I'm helping, even though I'm not really...that doesn't really make sense does it. Anyway, enough about me how did it feel to type it out. I know you feel selfish when you say others have problems, but babe you are doing tough at the moment, please go easy on yourself.

Well so far DS2 is still in bed but DS1 is up and with me on the sofa. Poor little guy has got another bug I think.

Hi guys, quick one from me, as must pay husband some attention..

Lots of love to Jolly and miniJ. Fab news about the breastfeeding and the little snuggle. Looking forward to hearing the name.

wg lovely photies on FB. Hope you are out or are getting out soon.

trace you should always come on here and talk if it helps you. Honestly. Lots of love to you, you sound like you are really struggling at the moment...sorry I am crap at knowing what to say, but I am listening!

Good news about the house being on the market. Hope you get lots of viewings.

arti hope move goes well....eeek!

spot so so sorry B is having such a bad time. I really hope you can push to see a specialist. Just sorry I can't do anything to help. How is your DP doing? And little T and his collarbone.

jj great news on E's weight!

Oh weaning with DD going great. She has decided she likes the spoon now so she is getting spoonfed some stuff when more convenient. She's so different to DS. She actually seems interested, I always was confused when people said, Oh they're always stealing my food/watching me eat/stuffing their faces about v young babies(i.e less than 9 months or so), but I see what they mean now!

vag that's cute about the bunkbeds! Bless them. Hope DS1 ok.

hi - yes, got out yesterday evening. hence was able to post pictures on fb. can't concentrate this eve so won't do full debrief, but wanted to say:

trace, my love, you sound so low. and NOBODY wants you to keep your feelings to yourself. owning your feelings and realising they are important is such a big step. and with the anonymity and the surprising closeness that a thread like this brings, means - please please please, do keep posting. if you can post on here and work some things out, it will make us all so so pleased. chin up, love.

and spot - you poor love. i cannot imagine what you and B are going through. hoping for some great doctor insights if you can find a gastric team.

and hurrah for jolly - i know it's not ideal, but sounds like it is working and you got a cuddle!!! can't wait to hear more.

we are absolutely fine - R requested G to sit on her lap for bedtime songs - bless. and G appears (fingers crossed, touching every piece of wood in this house) not to have inherited her sister's volubility, nor ferocious temper. mind you, it's only day 3. plenty of time for it all to go pear shaped. she is a delight.

oh, and dh's mother has gone ballistic in the passive aggressive stakes and we've got them for 4 whole days this weekend. lucky lucky us. i can't bear to explain, but needless to say i'm sure there will be corkers.

night night - will do birthstory soon.

Trace, I meant to ask you on Friday (& am myself suddenly surprised to find that it is today Sunday!) how did the house viewings go? I think you said you were seeing them late last week.

SL I know EXACTLY what you mean. I get excited when DS2 asks me for a banana or an Apple!

Thinking boobie milk pumping thoughts for Jolly.

Trace whenever you feel like you can't cope with daily tasks just think of WG's MIL and her toaster issues. I have to say thinking of that story always gives me a giggle.

Speaking of which WG I hope you have located the tray thingy on your toaster and it is ready for its Saturday clean. But seriously, that us going to be a lot for you to cope with this soon after the birth. Are you going to be ok?

Aw Trace, please do keep posting, if it is at all helpful We are all here to listen and help if we can. You have given so many of us so much love and support over the last three years that the least we can do is to try to help when things aren't so great. Huge hugs and thinking of you. Lots of love.

It's only just occurred to me but I have a super whizzy breast pump which obv I don't need anymore and would be more than happy to send it to Jolly - or indeed any of the new mums - if it woudl help. It does both boobs at once and is really efficient but sadly neglected in a corner and in need of a new home. Jolly, if you would like to give it a shot, I can easiuly pop it in the post for you. Please do shout if it might be any use.

Arti, the week just flies by on half term doesn't it? Can't believer you are moving on Friday. Very exciting.

Poo for more bugs chez Vag, hope AK gets better soon.

Soooper early start for me and very busy week so I'd better put my head down. Love you all and night night XXX

spot love, am so sorry for you and Billy, your GP does sound rubbish and not giving you any practical help. Have you been officially 'discharged' from hospital care or do you still have a paeds team you can go back to?

and trace, darling, like WG says we'd be more worried not to hear from you than to have you get your feelings out here. The basket remains as strong as ever and it's what we're here for. I can't offer any practical help or experience but like everyone else, just happy to be a listening ear at any time you want to get your feelings out.

Jolly, so glad to hear you got a proper cuddle and hooray for babyJolly for breathing on her own! Will pop those clothes in the post to you, and also some pages from my fave BF book on kangaroo care for premature babies, feel free to chuck them in the bin if you like but I found them very helpful when E was being tube fed. The expressing, the hospital gave me a pump and I sat next to E (rather than in the nasty 'expressing room') which I'm sure helped get the milk going much better. Hand expressing I found a bit tricky, not for want of getting anything out as for working out where to put it but the nurses should be able to help you with that if you'd rather do it that way.

WG, sounds like R is going to be a fantastic big sister! Just look out for the over-enthusiastic hugs that turn in to squishings. Are you going to be ok with MIL for a whole 4 days? Maybe have the number of a local B&B to hand in case of emergencies (for you and G, probably...)

SL great news on the food front :)

Am off to the house of one of the NCT ante-natal 'refresher' ladies this morning so hopefully some more cute baby action. in fact it's the lady I ended up opposite in the PN ward, she'd been induced because of very sudden GD that came on over Christmas, her little girl looked very cute and it was nice to have someone there to chat to. Have a lovely Monday everyone, big hugs to all.

Morning all, am supposed to be having a shower (to wash poorly girl sick off me ) so a quick one to say that Jolly got 2 cuddles yesterday and baby Jolly is now solely fed on Jolly's milk - all fabby news. Sybs I've offered her the pump

Trace you are always so kind and have lovely words for all us, so I for one am more than happy to listen in return. Did writing about it help you feel a bit better? Much love xx

Back later to catch up with the rest of you

Morning Ladies.

What wonderful news about jolly and mini jolly.

WG Good to hear you are home. G sounds delicious! Shame about the impending MIL visit but I am dyingto hear what corkers she comes out with!

SL Thats sounds so positive on the weaning front. Neither of mine were 'food grabbers' so its so encouraging to hear of others that do.

spot My word, I don't quite know what to say. Things are so tough on you right now and poor Billy. I really hope that someone can sort it out asap. Its hard to believe that after all this time the medical profession still can't help such a small baby in so much pain. How is DH and T coping with it all?

trace Please you must post on here with whatever you are thinking/feeling. We are all here to listen and to support you and whenever possible to try and help. NO-ONE is ever tired of reading, but we need you to post because we care and when you don;t we worry about you. I am thinking of you and sending lots of love xx

vag How is DS1 today? I hope they enjoyed the bunk beds. My two slept in bunks last week whilewe were away and they loved it. Surprisingly theyboth slept better than ever! BTW your cat is one gorgeous big ball of fluff(and I'm not even a cat person!)

Thanks DB she is a sweetie. DF1 is a bit miffed by being usurped as the alpha cat. They have managed to keep away from each other but DF1 keeps hissing at us and if we get to close she lashes out. I need to clip her nails. How the hell do I do that.

We lost DF2 this morning which was a bit of a stress. We couldn't find her and then discovered the previous owner has left a small window open which we hadn't noticed. Cue major stress, but thankfully we found her snuggled up at the bottom of a cupboard.

DS2 slept beautifully until 4am then happily just jumped into bed with us, I think we were both happy when he came in. I think we both missed him. I think he will just eventually sleep through. He knows he can come in if he wants.

DS1 is better but quite shattered. We went to the sea life center here this morning with some friends as its half term here. He had fun but was very lack lustered. Another friend invited us over to play but he didnt want to go as he wants to chill out at home.

Right better go, I am still living out of a suitcase, and DS2 is living out of 'bags for life'. Must unpack.

Back again now and no more vomit since this morning's episode, poor girl she looks shocked and scared when she's being sick, then I suppose it is a very weird thing when you don't know about it

Spot I really feel for little Billy, and you too, and this stage all he needs is milk and sleep and cuddles and it all is so painful for him. I would keep harassing the Drs til something works, but so exhausting for you

Welcome home Madam G! WG your fb pics are beautiful, I nearly started blubbing! Can't wait to hear what MIL has to say ... Good luck

That is amazing weight gain (not so) little Jump, big pat on the back for Jump and her amazing boobies!

Summer how lovely that H is weaning so well. I wonder if E will start to copy her and try things she eats?

Thanks for the PM Trace I was very excited as I've never had one before. Simple things ... Does anyone have WGs address they could send please?

Where is everyone? I have had a busy day, just girding my loins to make our supper. My Boden order has arrived and one dress is going back, I am dithering about another and the cardigan is fab. Why are my top and bottom a different size? Knockers which could fell rhino, so huge are they.

We have our black swan moment tomorrow. I must get L's kit together and work out where i am going. A, a bit worried about the parkiong that a. there won't be any, b. I won't be able to park in the space or c. it'll be on a meter and I'll be shoving pounds in hand over fist. Beans, it's near vicarage crescent in Battersea village - do you know what it's like round there as it's near yer old manor?

Have a good evenign everyone .

Vag, could you put a pic of the cats on your profile for the luddites who don't do FB? Thanks. Glad you are getting settled in.

There you go Sybs I put a piccy up of both the girls. Sybly please go on FB, I'd like to be your friend. You can just have us as your friends.

Spot - definitely keep on at your doctors, it's just not on. I@m so sorry for you.

It's so lovely to hear all about new babies etc. And they all sound like they're doing brilliantly - well done to you all!

It's so quiet on here - Rubes and Lady's absence is noted!!

Sybs - not sure about the parking - think it's meter, though. Not 100% sure as I wasn't that close to Vicarage Crescent. Hmm. Sorry.

Just had a bit of a shock. DD2 has started nibbling at toast for her breakfast now and this morning she choked on some. It was so scary and I wasn't really sure what to do. Luckily she then vomitted copiously and started breathing again, but it was a scary moment for me! What do I do if she chokes please??! I think I lie her along my knees and pat her back? I've also dropped her 11am feed, so she's only on 3 milk feeds a day. It's rather marvellous that she's growing up - she's trying to crawl too.

Oops, just got teary. Sorry! But it's just a gorgeous age. So smiley and giggly and she can stand up if I hold her hands. I love it!

Oh and we've got a new name for lady gardens here, courtesy of DD1 - it's called a Fangy. Rather stylish, I hope you'll agree.

beans I am with you on the growing up thing...DD has suddenly started rolling around and trying to get places (not crawling or anything), and I think it's dead cute but I am a little sorry. She has that innate baby thing of being able to find anything you don't want her to as well, she's on a mat full of baby toys and found DS's jigsaw piece which was under the mat and started wrecking it by chewing it. And yesterday she found some stickers and chewed them until they all came off all over her and the floor!
I should know on the choking as I have done a first aid course for children and lots of it was about choking but I will wait for someone who knows better to say as I will no doubt get it all wrong!
Uh-oh, she found found some more stickers!
Fangy, that sounds a bit scary!! This morning I forced DS to get dressed and he was whinging and I said "I know I'm an abusive parent" and he just wandered round going "abusive parent" "abusive parent". Oops!
DD crying now so gotta go, even the stickers are not keeping her quiet.

Yes V quiet round here. We need rubes and lady back.

spot I hope you can get some help. Thinking of you.