Late Jan 2011 (some very, very late!) - here we go!!!

[ThreeBubbasAndManyBumps]

Graduated
JJKM - Twin Girls
Stars - Baby Boy
FloraPost - 6th Jan - Baby Boy
Mimou - 14th Jan - Baby Boy - 7.3lb
Zippy - 14th Jan - Baby Boy - 7lb
LadyBuzz - 18th Jan - Kali Margaret Briany 6lb 1oz
Scuba - 22nd Jan - Baby Girl - 6lb 13oz
AmIGoingMad - 25th Jan - Baby Boy - 7lb 5oz
Gallicgirl - 26th Jan - Alys May - 7lb 2.5oz
BubbaAndBumps - 27th Jan - Lachlan Robert - 12lb 3oz
Travispickles - 27th Jan - Saskia Faye
Fuzzy - 28th Jan - Evan James - 8lb 8.5oz
*Saltnvinigar - 28th Jan - Henry David
Ryuk - 28th Jan - Ezra - 7lb 4oz
TheBreastMilksOnMe - 30th Jan - Amelia Rose - 8lbs 9.5ozs
SaraL77 - 31st Jan - Reuben Mark - 7lb 2
Pootle - 2nd Feb - Jacob - 8lb 9oz
cyberfairy - 4th Feb - Rowan - 7lbs 7oz
RockLover - 5th Feb - George Christopher - 8lbs 4oz
RunningKatie - 5th Feb - Isobel Millie
CupcakesHay - 5th Feb - Jesse William - 7lbs 1oz
Crystylline - 8th Feb - Xavier Louis - 8lbs 11oz

Count: 8 girls, 15 boys

Still Huffing and a Puffing..?
Shanster: 30/01 Boy (1DD)
Faraway Trees: 22/01
RobynLou: 24/01 ?? (1DD)
Loopylu: due 31/01 (1st?)

Here we go, down the slippery slope of parenthood. Slippery thanks to the poos, wees, leaky boobs and goodness knows what else :o :o

We'll be here to hold each other's virtual hands through the tough nights and delightful days, and to laugh at each other's stories of comedy nappy changes , and the fear (or not?) of getting back in the saddle, and coating some cervixes just for the fun of it again!! :o

oh poor Jesse. Have you tried infacol? It helps Alys sometimes. It's dreadful when they can't sleep properly because of wind.

Decided to give the baby group a miss for all the reasons Bubba mentioned. I really don't fancy sitting around with a load of strangers talking about babies. I have enough of babies at home and I'd rather go out for other entertainment. Soooo, we're going shopping instead :D

It's a beautiful day here - very bright and sunny. I just hope the wind off the river isn't too cold.

Hello ladies - My laptop is fixed and so is my car

bubba my boys are 4.8 and 2.4, they must be quite similar in age to yours are they (your girls obv!!).

Well I went Solo this weekend, DH left on Friday evening and has just come back - I coped! with a bit of help from SIL but all was fine.

Spotty baby here too, face and chest but they don't seem to bother her at all.
No six week check either, I think we too are around 8 weeks.

I only go to baby groups if I already know someone there, I guess that would make me one of the cliquey ones but I am painfully shy and just could not go it alone - good on you for giving it a go.

Kali is a fat porker, she was weighed this morning and is a whopping 9lb 5oz she is foloowing her 7th centile nicley bless her - almost in 0-3 month clothes too!

cupcake poor Jesse your heart breaks for them if they are not happy.

gallic enjoy your gigs, my boys love a good festival and are just fab when we are there.
We are debating now if we are going to do one this year - it is 4 days for us as we work them - work in the loosest possible sense, we have a chill out/meditation space that requires setting up and taking down and the rest of the weekend we are free we also cheap and borows PILs camper van!

rock how is DD enjoying her new school?

hi all

i'm back! phew!

DS has been cuddled into insensibility by all his loving family and friends. by the time i left i wanted to put a little sign on his crib saying "i'm not a toy, please refrain from picking me up, or winding me for no apparent reason."

for the last two days LO has been asleep during the day for no longer than 30 mins, then wakes, cries/screams until i pick him up and play with him, then feeds, then back to sleep. it's an exhausting cycle to go through ever hour or so.

on the up-side, i took him to bed at midnight last night when he was wide awake and after cuddling up for a bit he settled and went to sleep for three hours, woke and had a feed and then went back to sleep for another three hours.

i think he's just discovering night and day and is more wakeful during the day (which long term is a great thing), but right now is leading to me spending the day in my pajamas, brushing my teeth one handed and leaving a trail of destruction incomplete tasks in my wake as i run around trying to keep up with him.

I've been to a few mum and baby groups and quite enjoy them. I've found with hobby groups/events in the past that if i go with a friend i'm crap at getting to know people, whereas if i go it alone it forces me to interact with strangers (who might become friends ). but have found a bit of cliqueness, tho not enough to put me off just yet! having said all that I haven't made it to my regular monday group . still catching up wiht unpacking etc (at least that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!)

gallic and ladyb yay for festies! i'll probably only make a few overseas ones at the end of the year, but would normally spend all summer at them. a new fab one in London to look out for is Lollibop which is for Little Ones, Spark kids' theatre festival in Leceister is also really good and there's an annual early years festival in Scotland too.

i'd love to go to Elbow's new album tour, but not going to make it this early... ah nvm... there will be other festies and gigs in the future.

TMI question - should my lochia still be v. red at 4 weeks? bit concerned and wondering if i need to head to the docs to be checked out.

Crysty - I don't think it is meant to still be red - could it be period? I would get it checked anyway.
I haven't ventured to any mum and baby groups yet - mainly coz I can't drive yet. I am not expecting much tbh! Fortunately I have a few friends who are part time/ on ML so not too lonely.
Had to wake Saskia in the night as my boobs were a)painful and b)enormous - she was starting to wake but I wasn't getting back to sleep until some of it had been drained off. Anyone know what happens when you stop BF? How do you cope with engogemjent? (forgive scandinavian spelling there - the one handed typing not a forte!)
My boss (the Head)is coming after work to discuss possibilitiers for work next year, to avoid my partner being made redunadant. Really hope it goes well....
Sorry for scant replies - just as I think I have a minute Saskia decides to request my attention

Hi all, George is making it very difficult to catch up with posts on here lol. He is also still sleeping on the bed, we tried him in the cot the other night and he just won't go into a deep sleep, then wakes after an hour or so.

Ah well, we'll keep trying! But on the upside he settles very quickly on the bed between us and we get 2 lots of 3 hours sleep with a feed at around 3ish, a feed around 6 and then another hour dozing until the alarm goes at 7.20.

I can completely identify with the running around in nightwear for most of the day trying to keep up with baby Crysty, I managed to get dressed at around 1pm today which was good going. George decided to be screamy/velcro baby today, if he wasn't stuck to me he was crying...come to think of it, when he was stuck to me he was also crying .

As for the lochia Crysty I honestly don't know what is normal, but I'm at 4 and a bit weeks post section and my bleeding has pretty much stopped, just a bit of very light brown discharge (much like the end of a period). My sis bled for at least 6 weeks, however, she had a very severe infection in her scar which may have affected her bleeding, although I'm not sure. Dr may be a good idea, just to put your mind at rest.

I'm not keen on mum and baby groups (was completely ignored when I went with DD years ago), I'm not shy, but I know what you mean when you talk about cliquey groups of mums. However, I'm going to have to be brave because I need to make friends having only lived here since last June. I need to buy some new clothes first though, no chance of fitting in pre-preg clothes and I'm not going to meet new people in my trackie bottoms!

I am also still eating for England, I seem to have no will-power whatsoever. I had the same thing with DD and put on a few stone , I really need to go on a diet before it gets out of hand this time. Saying that though, my tummy no longer hangs over my scar when I lie down, so it must have shrunk a bit; it means I no longer have the sweating problem :).

Right, I suppose I go as DD is just finishing her slovenly very healthy dinner of oven chips, fish fingers and cucumber (one of the only veg she'll eat). Was supposed to do a roast, but with George screaming to be picked up, there was no chance! Ahhh the joys of motherhood!

Suppose I better go. Duh, should have checked before I hit post!

Fretful baby here, she's waking herself up with wind like Jesse, and everytime the only thing that settles her is feeding. I've got one boob that looks like a sad spaniels ear now

DP also decided to trim her nails a bit vigorously this morning and drew blood, she was distressed and so was he. Don't think he'll be doing that again in a hurry.

Am waiting for our 6 week check appt. to come through, isn't it when we get the contraception lecture?! I mentioned sex to DP last night and was told he was ready and willing whenever I was

I'm going to mother and baby clubs etc., because with DP travelling so much I'm really worried I'll become a hermit otherwise, must force myself to go till it starts to feel a bit more natural.

Rock, I'm with you on eating for England, biscuits are so much more tempting than fruit as well.

DP and I are off to see Pulp in London in July, going to leave Isobel with someone overnight which makes me nervous already as I'm hoping to still be feeding her and will need to figure out what to do. Still, it's ages away yet.

i too am eating for england... feels like i'm eating more now than i did when i was pregnant.

and irritatingly i've been massively craving a cigarette, even tho the smell is gross and i know i don't really want one at all.

thanks all re: lochia. jjkm it's like a very heavy period. big clots and deep, dark red. HV is visiting on weds, so might ask them first and then make doc appt if needed afterwards.

i think i'm worrying cos I had PPH and manual removal of my broken placenta. and i know i'm putting off doing anything about it becos the docs said i might have future problems and i don't want any bad news. [wimp emoticon]

I've started bleeding again crysty and have been googling (I'm about to die apparently) and then searching MN's archives (it's quite normal in smallish quantities at this stage of post-partum, and especially if you've been overdoing it, as I have).

I bled for about 11 weeks with DD1 (hadn't realised that that was too long, and then woke up one day with blood pouring out of me . So this time round the minimal but bright red blood before 6 weeks isn't worrying me too much. I don't see the HV again, so may give them a buzz tomorrow to see whether she agrees with my optimism.

jjkm good to hear from you. Any news on your girls yet?

travis if you decide to stop BF before weaning, then I think it's best to drop a feed at a time to help your boobs not get engorged. After weaning, your boobs are already cutting back on their milk supply so it should be okay. Some people say express a little to stop the engorgement, although others say this only prolongs the milk production. Sorry, that's a load of rambling bollocks. Maybe someone else has more useful advice?

Welcome back ladyb - glad your car and laptop are sorted. My DD2 is 2yrs 5 months, so very similar to your DS2, but DD1 will be 4 in May so a bit younger. Well done for having survived your solo stint this weekend (a weekend too!!! )

salt L's spots are already starting to go, so that'll be about 3 weeks I think. Just clean them and whatever you do, don't pick at them.

running I think your pre-birth-cleaning-OCD fits have rub off on me, I've spent all weekend and today scrubbing and sorting and ironing and cleaning. It doesn't suit me, but I'm like a woman possessed!! :o :o

Right, University Challenged is on, so have to compete with DH about who's cleverest (DH. Every Time :(), while I bemoan Jeremy Paxman's arseholeness.

bubba could it be your period? My mw told me you can start your period as soon as 6 weeks after the birth - so just as your post-partum bleeding stops, period can start- I'm sure that happened to me first time round, but then I don't know if you're bf as you shouldn't have a period if you are, (that's right isnt it?)

god, just as I've logged on I'm conscious I need to go to bed NOW so I can cope with the night-feeds. I haven't had a minute to myself today- anyone else with more than one find this? At least DS1 naps for 2 hours during the day, then I only had 1 clinging screaming child to deal with for that period of time. Now I wish I'd listened to those who said wait till DC1 is at school before having no.2, rather than those who said have them close together!

I am BF (all the fecking time), and didn't get a period with DDs for the full time I was BFing, though it did cross my mind too, though it's way lighter than my periods used to be...

You'll appreciate their being close in age once they're a bit older and play together - my DDs play really sweetly together when they're not screaming at each other like old fishwife-bancheesgetting on each other's nerves. :o

I'm off to bed too - have a horrible chest cold on top of frequent night feeds, which sometimes whacks me with a stupidly high temperature and night sweats. Mmmmh. Nice. :)

'Night all, wishing you and your LOs a peaceful (!) night.

That should have read...

You'll appreciate their being close in age once they're a bit older and play together - my DDs play really sweetly together when they're not screaming at each other like old fishwife-banchees getting on each other's nerves. :o

TIRED!!

fuck it. too tired.

(banchee bit should have been crossed out)

fuck it :o

Night

Morning all just checking in to say hi. At my parents for a few days as DH is in California with work (jealous me?!?), apparently he's really busy and the weather is rubbish, there's a shame.
On the phone so just had a quick read through will catch up properly later.
Very spotty baby here too but a lot if it looks like eczema, poor little man, so trying to find a suitable cream to help him out. Better go being screamed at for a feed and DD is still asleep so don't want the little man waking her up too.

Good morning ladies. Bit of a crappy night here, George was fine, but I had an upset tummy (again) at about 4 in the morning and so asked DP to do the night feed. Now I feel guilty because he is working!

George is crying at me already this morning and I need to have a shower, so not sure when I'll be able to do that. He was stuck to me or crying all day and most of the evening too yesterday and I got bog all done, it's so bloody tiring when he requires constant rocking to get to sleep.

I am not hopeful that today will be any different, but I know all this will pass as he gets older, it's just a little annoying at the moment.

Feeling bad because I did nothing but nag and snap at DD this morning because she wasn't doing as she was told, but I'm worried that when she's older she'll only ever remember me moaning at her :(.

Right, I'm off to watch crap tv, eat rubbish and try and get George to stop crying for 5 minutes...oh and probably rush off to the loo every 5 mins too. I have SO much to look forward to today !

Oh Rock - that sounds crap. Hope George surprises you and is a dream all day.
Feeling soooo depressed at size of self, also state of boobs. I never used to have so many fleshy areas to lift but now with flap of flab over scar and snoopy's ears for boobs.... [why is there no sobbing emoticon??] Woeful.
My DSis rang at 9am from work to ask me to 'nip out' to her house (15 min walk there) and put a note on her boyf's car as it has a flat to stop it getting a ticket. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT (Vic Meldrew me)... she clearly doesn't get it. When I testily pointedf out that I was a)in bed b)feeding baby c)not able to drive yet d)unlikely to be able to 'nip out' anywhere for a good few years she reacted like I was being really unreasonable. Don't feel nthe need to post in AIBU - I bloody know IANBFU!!!
Wishing a good day to you all- it's sunny here (oop North so v. rare!) so in a good mood!

Oh travis I take it your sis doesn't have kids yet then? :o lol

rock your DD will forgive you - just talk to her about it when she's back from school tonight and make some time to do stuff just for her when George gives you a minute!!

Fuzzy your poor, poor DH with no sunshine in Californ.I.A. Must be sooooooo tough on him

L had a party again last night, but forgot to invite anyone but me. Yay me.

Right, back from errands, Gilmore Girls is on and L fell asleep in the pram and I successfully transferred him indoors with little disturbance so he's still snoozing (maybe I should take one of the four layers off him!? ). Hot choc and taking it easy for me today - busy week ahead with the girls...

Buggery bollocks - next door have just started drilling!!

Hi all

Sorry for crashing, I'm new to MN (just joined today)and my DD was born Jan 18th. I'd very much like to join this group if you'll have a latecomer?!

A quick intro: I am exclusively BF, still every two hours and DD is gaining weight like I'm feeding her pies and pudding! DP is subtly encouraging me to switch to formula (would make his life easier, less nagging from me!) but I think this is just spurring me on to keep going!

Life with the baby is generally wonderful but I was unfortunate enough to have a period 3 weeks after delivery and am feeling positively PMSy again today, fingers crossed I'm spared another! Very much looking forward to chatting to you ladies and reading all about our LOs

ThreeBubbasAndManyBumps SNAP! My next door neighbours have been busy drilling and hammering all day - joyful when trying to encourage DD to have a wee nap

Sorry, ThreeBubbasAndManyBumps, see above. I'll get the hang of these threads eventually!

Welcome RedEm - will type more when I have both hands :)

oh bubba if it were later in the day, i'd offer you . sod it... have some and some more

i would suggest that when L is screaming blue murder at fart o'clock in the morning, you shush and comfort him at the place in your house where next door are most likely to hear.

welcome redEm i'm BF as well. could you express so DP can feed your LO too, or do you prefer not to?

rock stay in those PJs... much more comfy anyway. besides it's fashionable these days to have "house clothes" and "going out clothes"!!

fuzzy i have horrible ezcema and my tip is aloe vera - straight from the plant. I've always got one growing and you can just break off the tip, break it open and smear the inside of the plant directly onto skin. it's instant relief for me. not sure if it's ok for babies, but i'll check my books here.

travis lovely sister! bless her

my DS is being a bit quieter today, so have been trying to do some shopping for a playmat/gym. been looking at:

[[http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=*&cid=2010560259536588873#
thisone]] fisher price rainforest
and:
[[http://reviews.mamasandpapas.com/4006/759482704/reviews.htm
thisone]] mamas and papas coconut band.

any thoughts/recommendations?