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

[Beans33]

Here we are x

Beans: what a worrying time for you. Best wishes to your MIL and your dad, and enjoy Barcelona.

Mom: fantastic news! What a speedy labour - hope the stitches are healing ok. Lavender and sea salt baths might help :).

WG: thank you for the birth story, I loved your description of your doula helping you the wee hours while your DH was sleeping :).

We're off this weekend too, just to Norfolk but sans children. Will we have anything to talk about?

Avo: houseguests? Really? I hope your DH is doing all the hospitality stuff.

Arti I am astounded that your DH thought this was a good idea!!! Camping our is fun yes, but living amongst a load of packing is not fun. Hit him with the knob stick!!!!

Went to a goat farm today about 30 mins from here was quite busy as its hols here, but the boys loved it. They cuddled the baby goats, sadly they ran out of milk so we couldn't feed them the bottles but still was fun and bought some yummy cheese and yogurt.

Sorry posted accidentally.

Beans that's all a bit hard for you both. I hope you can switch off from it for the weekend, enjoy some good wine and Tapas and that DH does the time he is aiming for. You really deserve this break.

DS1 had one of his friends over after the goat farm and it was warm enough for them to play in the back garden. So nice for them to use it already it really is a nice big space, well bigger than we've had in this hemisphere.

How is the change in B's medication Spot? I hope it's suiting him

Arti DH deserves a proper beating with the knob stick . I actually would have to kill DH if he did that. Hope the move goes well and your friends pull their weight now they're with you

Beans it must be terribly hard for you and DH to be both worrying about your parents, when you probably both need a bit of support from each other. Enjoy your weekend, you deserve a bit of time off

And Effie too, have a lovely weekend. I bet you talk about the boys 99% of the time!

I'm enjoying a peaceful evening in a Premier Inn here in London. I'm here for an exhibition with work, which has been fun but tiring. So it's quite a treat to not have to pack nursery bags, wash up etc and instead I have a and a bar of G&Bs and a trashy magazine. I have a gorgeous family, but sometimes isn't it nice just to be alone?

Oh, Urbs I forgot to say I'll sponsor your DS to do forward rolls, he sounds a real love

Urbs DS1 often talks about raising money for "those children on that other island that don't have any mummies or daddies". I think it comes from when he did one of those Christmas gift shoebox things a couple of years ago at nursery. Your DS is so cute.

Sadly he's worse than ever, ZJ - got an appt with the consultant this time next week but can't come too soon. He's now screaming all day and he's dropped another centile in weight . Am thinking of giving the Nutramigen another try - I didn't before as he was eating more of the regular stuff, but now he can barely keep anything down I might as well go for the hypoallergenic stuff.

Oh and when we saw the ENT consultant the other day he decided they did want to do the endoscopy with a GA after all. So when it would have been convenient to have in as an inpatient it gets cancelled, but now they want to do it as they are worried his oesophogus (sp?) is really too scarred and inflamed and anything we try to put in him causes pain. Still can't get the Ompeprizole in him despite increased dose as he coughs or spits it out.

Your evening sounds ace, do you have a mini bar?

Vag how does the new house feel now you've been in it a few nights? How are the moggies taking to it? And the DSs to their bunk beds?

Beans and Effie have lovely weekends and try not to talk about the DCs all the time! I'm sorry things are so tough on the older generation front, BEans, how is your dad in himself, other than playing heaps of golf?

Avo, could your guests basically cater for themselves? They must understand the situation, surely?

Oh spot, I'll be willing next week to come round as fast as it can and hope the consultant has some sense and something to help.

Beans - sorry for your MIL, but thanks for posting it, it helps to know we're not the only ones. You're spot on its bowel cancer they are worried about. Which has totally spooked MIL as her mother died of it at the same age. Trouble is MIL doesn't deal with life very well - just the process of getting her to a doctors appt is traumatic enough. I guess early days, it may all turn out to be nothing much. Have a lovely weekend in the gorgeous Barcelona. You too effie.

Arti - good luck with the move. I hope your houseguests are very good, tolerant friends - sounds bonkers!

veggie - you always seem to find the fun stuff to do! We run seriously dry of inspiration sometime. Glad yo0u're enjoying the garden, and hope its all starting to feel like home.

Need some sleep. Its been one of those days where I have managed to totally miss the DCs which I don't much like. Heigh ho, tomorrow is another day.

Hello,
I have had my first experience of thinking www lost ds. He was being naughty and put down for a nap downstairs, where there is a separate entrance which we usually keep locked but sometimes my brothers kids open it. I went for a shower and next thing dh yells into the bathroom asking if ds was with me. In short, I went hysterical, ran into every house on the street like a crazy woman had neighbours searching while calling the police then finally heard my brother had taken him up to his work for a drive in the car to give us a break and he had intended to call me to let us know the minute he got into the car, but had taken an important work phone call before he had a chance to do so! He felt awful but the relief to know ds was ok was incredible. I never want to experience that again.
In better news, ds is much better. The runs have ceased and he is eating again and hopefully gaining weight back he lost. Dd has been lovely and smiley as usual, ever since her nappy rash and illness got better about a week ago. The weather is really hot and humid but the sun finally coming out. We are thinking of staying a couple of extra days as there are a few things we want to do and it just seems too early to leave tomorrow! If dh can squirm out of his clinic on Monday we will stay until then, and might do a trip out to one of the islands over the weekend. Dh has been riding with my brother but the heat and jet lag plus his lack of fitness have seen him struggle a bit!
Have only been able to skim through again. Beans sorry to hear about the stress surrounding your family, enjoy Barcelona. I was sick on mfy dive course years ago at home! Dh did his in Sharm, not sure if he was I'll too lol.
Spot what an on going nightmare. Hope the consultant helps.
Must go as some of the family are back.
Back later if poss

Hello everyone,

Thanks so much for all your kind thoughts and for ZJ and Trace passing on my news. It was lovely to have a lifeline to you all in there.

We've settled on a name. Juliet Elizabeth

I'm now home, but obviously Juliet remains in hospital. She's continuing to do really well. They moved her out of her incubator to an open cot yesterday which means she's off the oxygen and regulating her own temperature. The neo natal nurses say that she just needs to get the hang of feeding and put some weight on now.

Thank you so much vag for giving me bf advice and the contacts. I had to get 'official' approval to breastfeed from the pediatricians who had to liase with the pharmasists and throughout I was really adament that I'd read the research and felt it was the best thing for her etc etc, and there is no way I'd have been as confident and fought my corner if it wasn't for you and the email I had from the Breastfeeding network people. Thankfully they agreed it was the best thing too and I didn't need to get bolshy!

JJ I'd love the tiny baby clothes and the advice you have about special care babies. Thanks so much!

sybil I've PMed you about your offer to loan out your breast pump!

DD2 is calling but congrats to mom, WG and katie.

What a lovely name. L and Juliet. Sounds great together. Have replied to your PM Jolly XXXX

That's a beautiful name Jolly and a lovely strong girl you have there. Is there anything you need? I was thinking of knitting a (tm) funny hat, but wasn't sure what size you would need. Would any small woolly things be of use?

Jolly, I'm a little teary, do you mind if I share your message with the contact lady from the BfN who I originally contacted to find out how I could direct you to the BfN pharmacy lady? She is my old supervisor from when I did the course.

Rubes my teariness started after reading your post, I swear my heart nearly stopped reading about 'losing' DS. How bloody scary. Also your poor DH, the heat and esp. the humidity can really mess you up. DH and I went to Australia in the middle of marathon training. The day we caught the plane from London we ran an easy 10 miles in the morning (ah those were the days) then we gave ourselves a couple of days break after flying into Brisbane in January. Then to try to beat the heat we got up at 530am for an 8 miler. We managed 2miles before we had to turn around and give up and even then we walked most of the return trip. And that was just the gold coast, not far north like you guys.

Hello Jolly how lovely to hear from you..sounds like she is doing very well, Juliet what a lovely name. Like the middle name too, it is my and DD's middle name also! So happy that the breastfeeding is working out, that is amazing.
Oh it is so exciting with these new babies!

rubes how scary about nearly losing DS!

Oh and lady i cross posted with you a while back so I didn't sympathise on your yukky tummy situation. I did laugh at Arti saying DD1 was right to go on hunger strike. Maybe our fussy fuss fusses are cleverer than they look and right to be suspicious. In the caveman days H would probably be dead already from grabbing some deadly berries, whereas DS would be lean but still alive! I do hope your DD2 is a good eater like you suspect though! I don't think DD is like super greedy or anything but she seems it to me. I watch her eat open-mouthed.

I don't know why i put a "like" in that last sentence! Makes me sound about 15.

Beautiful name Jolly, I absolutely love it. I bet L is pleased to have you home. It's great to hear that after just a week she's breathing on her own, such a strong girl.

Love to Spot's B, plus those with poorly parents

Haha SL that is what I used to say as I watched a friends son pick mint leaves from a mint plant and happily eat it without a second thought. My DS1 would definitely have survived in prehistoric times.

JB what beautiful names. I always wished I was a Juliet instead of a plain old Julie. Well done on the BF front.

SPOt jaysus it goes from bad to worse for you. Many sympathies. x

Lady I missed your dodgy tummy, poor you hope you are over the worst.

Rubes bloody nora that would have terrified me.

Arti fuck me but your DH needs a bit more than a bop over the head. I would have gone bonkers at DH if he had done that. ood luck for the move today.

Beans hope you manage to enjoy Barcelona. So sorry about all your family ills. White light your way.

Right really must crack on am still in my dressing gown. Have parked the boys infront of a DVD hopefully they wont move and I can shower in peace.

Jolly - lovely name :) am posting the clothes today, sounds as if you're getting on great with bf so you might not need any more advice - but just in case, have put up the relevant pages as photos on my profile (faster than posting!) if you can't read them (bloofy mn wouldn't let them be any bigger) pm me your email address and i'll send the full size pics

Rubes: hope you've recovered from your scare. I would have been hysterical. It was bad enough losing DS1 is asda when I could hear him shouting the whole time. It's one of those things that IS going to happen at some point, but not good for the blood pressure.

Speaking of losing children, or at least reducing your chances of those skip a heart beat moments. If you are going to a soft play or crowded area with your kids put them in a bright shirt. Whenever i went to the childhood museum, or go to a soft play or even a busy park or gallery with the boys I dress them in red or orange as its easy to spot in the sea of blue, green, pink or purple. It doesn't stop them going missing, but helps to reduce those "Omg where is he/she!" moments.

Have had a mental afternoon which included losing my keys.

Bath time better go.

Rubes that is scary stuff. It would be lovely if could stay a bit longer with your brother

Are you lurking Trace? Did you have an appt with your CPN, or someone today, or is it next week? (losing track of the days) If it has happened already I hope it was useful for you x

I should be home in just over an hour, I hope DH keeps DD up so I can have a quick cuddle

Jolly - it is lovely to hear from you and know you are home. Juliet is such a great name - good choice! Has DD1 met her yet or is she banned from NICU? I hope little Juliet is home with you very soon.

Jam - don't think I didn't notice you announcing you want number three. You slipped that nugget in amongst lots of baby news. Are you actually going to go for it now, or did you just agree in principle for some point in the future? Wither way, how exciting (altho I can't understand how watching OBEM can make you broody... It makes me want to get my tubes tied).

Am on my way back to an empty house. Packers have done there work and we dint have so much as a radio or a plate to get us through this evening. Nevermind hey, our house guests can amuse us. I should defend DH a little, as much as I would live to use JJ's knobber he did have his reasons. The guests are his cousins, visiting the UK for two nights only. They are v easy going and to refuse them a bed would have been rude as they are always go out of their way for us. So I see why DH said yes, even if I don't see why they asked in the first place. Maybe I should use the knobber on them instead.

Arti, did they ask knowing that you were moving?

Also do your packers also unpack for you? I was talking to someone recently about loving packers and she said that I should have got them to unpack too (not this time obviously we had packers for previous move). How do they know where to put things?

Spot, we increasingly loving our new place, it still feels a bit new and exciting. I'm going to have a coffee morning next week as a little housewarming. It's also an incentive to sort out the last of the unpacking. Also one very positive point about the house is the bath. It's a very small bathroom but the bath/shower has one end that is very square so nice to shower in, the other end has a lip so nice to rest my head on and its a spa bath. I have to say I've never seen the appeal...until now. After doing the kids tea, I chucked them in front of the Tele and had a lovely bubbly relax.

Ugh,
Ds eating and seems much better health wise but we are having meltdowns of all meltdowns! Fine one minute and complete disaster the next. Seems to be just like dh and not too good with jet lag not to mention this heat! He is also still a bit snotty but i have ut down the ibuprofen and calpol as hes been on it way too long.Thank God we are sleeping in air conditioning! DD still delightful! Challenging with ds I must say, but still enjoying the trip! Off to Fitzroy Is tomorrow I think. Sorry just the me updates but don't have enough time to do much reading back. Hope all the new babies are well. Will put photos on fb as soon as we get back. Love to all