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

HV been. DS has put on another pound since last weighed, so is now 3 pounds bigger than at birth. hurrah!

i've got to go see the docs about my lochia though... grumble.

cupcakes 12 hours?? 12 minutes more likely... milk, poo and wee always end up all over him. i swear he waits til i've changed him to have a big crap/wee up his back/spill milk over his collar. bless the precious boy. obv a messy cherub like his mother!

katie you'll be fine. make some dates to see friends on those days, keep your phone handy, stock up on yummy food and clean clothes for you both.

then get the DVDs out and camp out on the sofa or grab your buggy and go exploring... or a combination of both.

if you have problems with night-times, then maybe co-sleep for a few days to make sure you both get some good sleep.

oh and cupcakes meant to say - fab progress re: doc appts for Jesse and hope all goes well at hospital.

Hello all! Had a bit of a crap night last night, but that was our fault really. We woke George at 3am for a feed as he was really restless, then he fell asleep after 80ml, slept for an hour then woke up screaming for more.

So I didn't get much sleep between 3am and 7am, tried to get him back to sleep after breakfast but he would only sleep on me, then woke himself up after an hour. Grrr!

Had bad news yesterday, DP may end up losing his job which is a nightmare. He works in the office for a company who sell legal "alternative" products, everything is perfectly legal and above board, but the company is being threatened with a police investigation. I can't really go into it, but it essentially means the company could get closed down and then DP is out of work. Shit.

I'm really not having a good day. And George still won't sleep!

Shit Rock - that's rubbish. We are in same boat - it looks like DP will have to take vol. redundancy but he hasn 't worked there very long so it won't be much. It's all a bit crap at the moment, with the economy etc. Will he be able to find something else?

Oh and also shit night - baby up 2am, 5am, 6.30am, 8am feeding. Exhausted.

Rock - oh heck, you poor thing. Could you take George out for a walk or something, would that help him sleep? Rubbish news about your DPs job too, when will they know more?

We seem to have a new routine of cluster feeding/crying from 4.30pm to 10.30pm. Its a joy to experience. However, my darling daughter slept for 6 hours last night so I'm counting my blessings too. Once I'd fed her I couldn't get her to settle again though so was up from 4.45, still, it meant we were washed and dressed and going for a walk by 9.30!

Fab weight gain Crysty, :)

Morning all (what's left of it)

Today hasn't got off to the best of starts after a disappointing and busy day yesterday. I best not complain too much, Rock it sounds like you're having a tough time of it, fingers crossed for DP and for a better afternoon for you.

saltnvinigar I'm indeed a first timer, it probably shows, but despite feeling like a milking cow DD is just adorable and I'm so proud to be her mum. How about you? First timer?

DD and I had a great morning yesterday and I finally made it along to BF support group - only to find I was the only mum in attendance in a room with a HV, MW and 1 male and 1 female student nurses. It was intense! Having so many people offering advice and tweeks on BF positioning was probably counterproductive but they all seemed to share the view that feeding was going well, I just need to ignore the clock. That's easier said than done.

DD is a long feeder anyway and has never yet refused a second helping despite seeming full and puffy but I was advised to keep offering. As a result, I spent from 6pm until 11.30 feeding (actual feeding not just comfort) with only 10 min breaks in between, followed by a wet nappy which seemed to weigh as much as DD! I really can't continue demand feeding so regularly, during the day there's not a problem but these cluster feeds in the evenings are becoming a nightmare and DP doesn't get to spend time with her as she's constantly latched on. :(

travis and rock that's crap news. hope that it doesn't go that way for either of you. i'm waiting atm to find out if my company will be making any redundancies in the new financial year... it's possible.

katie cluster feeding here also, with about that schedule. however, he's sleeping beautifully (touches wood) 3 hours, then feed, then 3 hours.

afternoon Red i didn't make it to BF support, tho must go next week. good on you for staying when it was just you! i'd have felt all shy and probably run away.

went to mums and babies group today - a new one. it was ok, but felt a bit overwhelmed as there were so many people and most knew each other for a long time as they had other children of similar ages. will persevere as i'm sure it just takes time. felt like a proper outsider tho. also get really nervous about saying i'm a lone parent - which is ridiculous, but still feels like i'm not a "Proper Parent" like they are. and worried that will have be ostracised as single mum's are Not To Be Trusted (according to village lore).

(gentle and sympathetic) lol @ single mums are Not To Be Trusted - it'll all be in your head crysty and I imagine most will be in awe of you. Motherhood is haaaaaaaaard, but especially if it's up to you all the time. Do you have a good network of friends and family to help out on occasion? If it's any consolation, I often get the Do-You-Not-Understand-Contraception-or-have-a-bit-of-Self-Control-Woman? type looks, especially this morning when I had L in the baby seat of the supermarket trolley, DD2 in the toddler seat and DD1 crammed into the main bit amongst the crisps, choccy biscuits and pork pies fruit and veg.

L's feeding is back to normal (Red to catch you up: he was huge when born, so is very hungry trying to maintain his figure :o, and I have two DDs under the age of 4 to play contend with too) and I have a bad cold, so the combination of my hacking cough and his hunger means I'm shattered too. Still love it though (in a slightly warped sense!)

Everyone seems to be being made redundant atm, it's a nightmare - it's happening to lots of my friends too. Thank Goodness me and DH are in fairly secure jobs - does make me think I should try and go back to work while I still can at the end of my maternity leave (although DD1 will be starting school, so not sure how that will work...)?

Puzzles and more feeding is called for for this mum, so no more MNing for me for a bit. Tara :)

Sorry about the rubbish news Rock and Travis.
Crysty I'm sure they wont be thinking that and if they are then shame on them.
Back from mum and dad's now, DH home tomorrow and we've got our 6 week checks in the morning. Hoping for a quiet night as a bit tired after the drive home. Had a pretty good night last night, E slept from about 11.30 until 4.20, did take over an hour to get him back to sleep but the 4 and a bit hour un-interrupted sleep was lovely.
Right hungry little people to feed here too, catch you later.

sorry,just re-read my last post and the bit about jobs sounds really insensitive and selfish. sorry :(

Sorry to hear you're in the same boat travis, it's really shit. DP doesn't know when there'll be anymore info on when/if this will all happen.

George has been a total nightmare today, just will not settle and when he does fall asleep he wakes himself straight back up. The only time I got some decent sleep out of him was when I put him in the pushchair to collect DD from school.

For some reason he will never let DP settle him so it always falls to me, so that was all yesterday evening, last night and all day today that he has been either screaming, feeding or stuck to me. He doesn't seem ill, so I'm hoping it's just a phase and he'll grow out of it.

I really need a shower and some food and it doesn't look like I'll get to have either. I know the hv/mw say it's ok to let them cry while you do essential things, but his screaming distresses me too much to allow him to do it for long. I'm so tired and beginning to feel quite anxious alot of the time, really worried that my anxiety is returning.

I am dreading the rest of the evening, hope you all have a better time than me.

rock sorry you are having a hard time of things, its alot to deal with all at once. It will get better but it doesn't stop it being really shit right now.

travis hope things work out for you too,

crysty I agree shame on anyone who thinks that. I have nothing but the utmost respect for single parents, I was on my own for a couple of weeks just after DS2 was born (I went a little bit loopy for a while with PND and made him leave) and agree with Bubba it is hard hard work on your own and I didn't even do it for very long.
You are doing fabulously.

rock & Travis really sorry to hear about the job situ. How crap and worrying - and last thing you both need. I hope you're both doing Ok and trying not to worry too much - easier said than done though. And sorry babies are being "naughty" too.

rock have you tried putting music on for george? I find music on when i'm feeding and then i put Jesse down and he normally seems to stay asleep as long as there's music on and he doesn't hear me creep out of room. has to be right music - he hated coldplay other day and wasn't keen on Keane. Of course - loves Glee and bruce springsteen! Might be worth a try? Or have you tried putting hand on his chest when he's in cot crying and just shushing him - and then pick up when really distressed but put down AS SOON as he stops crying. Might take 20 mins - but again, seems to work for jesse. Sorry if i'm teaching you to suck eggs (or whatever the saying is)

bubba I don't think you'd ever sound insensitive - we know how nice you are. And love the sound of the "looks" you get out shopping. Maybe it's jealousy?

Interesting fact for the day - cleft lips are more likely to occur in boys and are also seasonal! odd eh?

Only another week or so and Dh comes to Devon and then we go to london - seems to have flown by now. I've been away from home for 4 months! EEeeek. I bet my cats will have grown . I think they'll hate me for bringing Jesse home.... I spose as long as I bring cat treats they might forgive me.

Oh - and Jesse's legs are getting too long for the 0-3 baby grows.... so think I'll have to move him to bigger size soon - or risk torturing him with squished legs...

Bugger - thought i had a clear hour on here - but i can here my darling son crying for the boob monster his darling mummy....

Jesse still has wind - and is letting me get about 5 hours sleep at night - but luckily parents are letting me get a nap in during the day.

Saw cleft team yesterday in Bristol - op looks set for June sometime - although they can't give a def date as yet - but was nice to meet them and have a proper big outing with jesse. And finally figured out his car seat

Great news on the weight gain crysty! You must have popeye like muscles in your arms now And you know my thoughts on single mothers - they should all be given OBEs! I find it hard with Dh or my parents around - so how you do it amazes me!

Hi RedEm sorry DD is loving your boob so much that she's constantly attached. Have you tried expressing? I started about a week ago - and although my DS refuses milk from bottle if I give it to him - he'll take it from the grandparents - so might be worth a try - adn give Dp a chacne to bond during feeds? I have the medela swing - expensive but brill in my eyes - but a friend gave it to me, so I didn't have to actually buy it - but i really would recommend it.

Anyone who has a clingy baby should get a sling so you can at least carry them around with you. DD likes the sling mostly but sometimes she fights against it as she like to flail her arms around.

Forget who asked about nappies, maybe Rock? Anyway we're currently using tesco's own brand size 1 as they're on offer at 3 packs for £5. Strangely the smaller sizes are rarely discounted. We did pick up a huge box of size 3 Huggies in Mothercare last week. Got 200 nappies for £15. Too good a bargain to miss although who knows when she'll fit them.

HV came on Wednesday to weigh Alys and do 6 week check. She didn't think the vomiting was a problem unless Alys stopped feeding. Suspect she might have some reflux so I'll just keep an eye on it. She also gave us some ideas for dealing with bedtime, one of which was letting DD cry when we put her to bed. Apparently after a few days, she will learn to sleep. tried it last night but I can't bear to hear her work herself up so did go in to cuddle her a few times and eventually she slept ok. DP fed her around 3:30 and then I got her up at 9:30

DD has also put on loads of weight - a whole kilo in just 3 weeks so it's no wonder my arms ache!

I hope people with restless babies have a good weekend and all our little darlings are peaceful.

Wow - some really long posts, I dont think I will be able to compete! My DP is off today - says he has a stiomach upset but think it is stress related, he failed hos driving test again yesterday and I think it was almost the last straw. Tbh, I was so hoping he would pass - he needs a bloody break at the minute.
Aside from that Saskia woke up at 1am and it took til nearly 3 to get her back to sleep but she then slept til 8am before feeding so that was OK! She seems to have grown overnight though so think it is a growth spurt (I hope so as nips v v v sore!)
Cupcakes - didn't know that about cleft lips - is it more common in winter? Bet you can't wait to get back home now. Quite envy you - would love some proper heat/ sunshine. What is Syria like to live in?
Gallic - so HV told you to do controlled crying? Not sure I like the idea of that, but have been reading about attachment parenting so probably a bit the other way. Hard listening to crying....
Got to go, feed time again... [weary mum emoticon]

Thanks for the advice re sleeping cupcakes, I don't put George in a different room to nap during the day as we don't have any monitors yet. At night he is in our bedroom, however he just screams his head of until someone (i.e me) rocks/soothes him to sleep, he just won't drop off on his own.

He will only sleep in his bouncy chair or moses basket, he is now even resisting sleep when in the pushchair, whereas it used to send him off immediately. But I'm sure things will get better as he gets older, we definitely need to teach him to fall asleep on his own, I did controlled crying with my DD when she was 3 months or so and it worked wonders. She is still a great sleeper now.

OMG though, I looked in the mirror today and although my tummy has shrunk a little, I still look pregnant. I also have a HUGE double chin, I just don't seem to be able to eat healthy food, especially when George has a screamy day. Is anyone else eating as badly as me? I am determined to start a healthier eating regime on Monday, no fizzy, no chocolate and no crisps. Biscuits I can't live without, so I'll just cut down.

I feel so unattractive as I really need a haircut, an eye-brow wax, some flattering clothes and some new make-up.

On a positive note, the GP gave me the go ahead to start driving again today, so all I have to do is call my insurer in a minute. Hurrah, I can actually go outside of Totnes! If this lovely weather continues, a trip to the beach might be in order .

Rock - I am currently eating my way through a chocolate cake. 9 months till we get married and I really need to get in some kind of shape other than flabby before I go looking at wedding dresses.

I really need to shave my legs. And at some point the teaspoons need cleaning!

Sorry if TMI - but is anyone else having trouble going to the loo? I'm eating loads of fruit & veg and drinking pints of water but still am incredibly uncomfortable. :(

Limpet baby is feeding like a good 'un today and also producing melodic trumps to entertain visitors with! We're taking her to an NCT Nearly New Sale tomorrow in her carrier as I've not figured the sling out yet [bad mother emoticon]

Ooh Running you're brave, sharpen your elbows for the nearly new sale . Only kidding but some of the people at some of the ones I've been too have been exceedingly pushy. Just make sure you have an idea of what you want before you get there as there won't be much opportunity for browsing. I've picked up some great stuff at them though and the quality is usually very good.
I've been eating a load of rubbish too but got the all clear from the doc at my 6 week check today so plan to start doing some exercise.
Quite a relaxing afternoon here as DH is back and has taken DD to a soft play centre for a few hours. Evan is on a feeding mission though.
Running have you tried something like raisins or prunes if you can face it? Also unfortunately I think chocolate doesn't help .

Forgot to say jjkm, it's wonderful news that the twins should be home soon. I'm so chuffed for you all. :)

B*gger, realised it's 8 months to wedding, not 9. Must give up chocolate.

Fuzzy, not tried prunes, there are some on the table in front of me - might give them a go next. Was just worried that Isobel might get the benefit of them too and produce more exciting nappies for her dad to deal with!

Drum roll please, she's just done 20 mins in the moses basket during the day. It's a record.

Hadn't considered the pass on implications of prunes . As long as you can hand Isobel over to DP then no problem!
Exciting about your wedding, how's the planning going.
JJKM great news that the girls should be home soon, you must be very excited. How's their feeding going now?

Hope the swallowing is sorted out soon for both of them JJKM sounds like they're making great progress now though.
Meant to shave my legs this morning but didn't get around to it, I wouldn't make a very good 1950's house wife, husband home from business trip and I have unshaven legs, unplucked eye brows and no food in the house so we've had pizza for tea