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 God yes, always like that. I find managing to get out of the house even for a little walk, does me the world of good.

perhaps keep track of how you feel for a bit just in case there are any patterns. I saw a really good check list for PND somewhere. I was going to stick it on the fridge just in case but I'm a determined optimist.

The symptoms of PND usually include one or more of the following:

* low mood for long periods of time (a week or more)
* feeling irritable for a lot of the time
* tearfulness
* panic attacks or feeling trapped in your life
* difficulty concentrating
* lack of motivation
* lack of interest in yourself and your new baby
* feeling lonely
* feeling guilty, rejected or inadequate
* feeling overwhelmed
* feeling unable to cope
* difficulty sleeping and feeling constantly tired
* physical signs of tension, such as headaches, stomach pains or blurred vision
* lack of appetite
* reduced sex drive^

Looking at that list, I have a few symptoms..

Ha me too. Low sex drive being one of them which is not good for dh as I've realised he has been very over-indulged in that department up until now. As for having good and bad days I find I'm generally upbeat although often fantasise about smacking dh in the face for generally being a lazy arse git although he would kill me to hear me say that. He's not lazy just messy I suppose. I guess I feel unappreciated like he doesn't notice all the things I do do including cleaning up after him. I just hate asking for help but then when I complain he complains he's not a mind reader but then how hard is it to pick up towels and pants? Right I could rant forever on this but ought to stop.
Anyone else's baby been sleepy today? I think it must be because of the hot weather but all Henry has done today is snooze and feed with small time frames in his bouncy chair.

Hi all, sorry I have not posted much recently, but have been at my parents for a week and not doing so well at the moment.

I am pretty sure I have PND probably caused by the re-emergence of my anxiety, coupled with truly horrid IBS at the moment. I have a dr's appt the week after next and I'm probably going to ask to go back on the ADs I was on before.

I have no idea how I managed to drive to and from my parents with George as he seems to have a huge dislike of the car and had screaming fits on both journeys, which is total hell in an enclosed space when you're trying to negotiate the M5. :( Not only that but he is now only sleeping at night for 3 hours at a time which I am hoping (praying more like it) that's it's just this shitty cold we still both have that's waking him up.

I got him weighed yesterday and he's just under 13lbs now and following the 50th percentile, the HV said his weight gain is good so I'm pleased with that.
He is also starting to laugh, he's done a few throaty chuckles this week, one in his sleep the other night then another on Monday when we were "talking", it's soooo cute. He has also discovered that he does like his baby gym after all and has been playing on it for hours today kicking at all the toys with his feet and rolling on to his side. His head control when on his tummy has improved too.

I am stuck in the house today due to dodgy stomach and not wanting to take any tablets for it so I'm thoroughly pissed off that it's such a lovely sunny day. It's making me feel even more depressed being inside, but not much I can do about that today. Plus I tried to take George for a walk into town in the pushchair yesterday and he just screamed his head off, so I came home after 30 minutes which was pretty annoying.

Sorry for the dreary post, but I'm really not feeling myself at the moment. I haven't read all the previous posts yet, so sorry if I have missed some major news, I will go back and read in a minute. Hope everyone has a lovely day and enjoys the sunshine. :)

Oh sorry to hear you're feeling down rock. It's excellent news about George's healthy weight gain though and it sounds like he is developing really well if he can already roll over. I hope you feel better soon and get over your cold. I was surprised last night that Henry woke up at 4:22 am after he's been so good sleeping through the night for weeks. Hoping it's just a one off because he slept so much in the heat yesterday daytime.

I always find watching 'Jeremy Kyle' makes me realise how good my own life is plus it's followed by 'the real housewives of orange county' which I am addicted to. Talking of which it's on soon so better go but didn't want your post to go unanswered as it's quiet on here these days.

Oh that sounds crap Rock. You do right to go back to the doc - but is the week after next the next apt you can get? Seems a long way off! Mind you Salt is right - sounds like George is doing well, so that's one less thing to worry about. IAnxiety is a real bugger and I was only asking yesterday about PND as I have days where I feel really down and irritable. Keep talking to us!
Just had a high chair bought by DM (one of the few from birth ones) so she is now 'sitting' at the table with us! Which is lovely - providing a whole new perspective of the world. Dying to see 'Housewives of Orange County', as have heard a few people talk about it Salt - when is it on??
How old are the twins now JJKM? You mention a growth spurt, think Saskia is on the 3 month one. Are the twins that on their adjusted age?
Thanks for the list Gallic - tick a few boxes so will keep an eye.
Any news from Cupcakes - can't imagine what she found when she got home

rock sounds like you're doing everything right and george is a happy, thriving lad. agree with the others tho, you need to feel great too, so get thee to the docs for help when you can and rant away/talk to us here if it helps

daytime TV is a whole new world to me and v. weird. find that becos i get cooped up with tv in the evening, i can't watch during the day, so have the radio and tinterweb on instead. the garden is about to become my biggest distraction tho with all the gorgeous weather. had little sunhats from friends in the post, (so cute!) and a package from New Zealand today! Kiwi kids must be much wider/chunkier than brits, judging by the clothes! but they are fab!

DS is sleepy here too, but more likely he's fighting his cold than growth spurt. he was so poorly with it this morning and i feel rotten too. hope we both start feeling better soon, as it's just grot being snotty in the sunshine!

hoping all is well with cupcakes too.

I get packages from USA and I thnk they're sizes are quite generous!

Hope you're ok Rock. Come and whinge here whenever you need to and try to keep in touch with people locally.

DP was off work today so I made him cut down the HUGE bush which was blocking access to the front door (what sort of idiot plants a bush that can grow up to 2m next to the front door? ). I've now planted some small perennials so the wee strip of garden we have is looking much better and I feel like I've achieved something today.

I've just seen on the BBC that the FO are advising UK citizens to leave Syria. Cupcakes DH works for the embassy I think so she should be ok getting out if needed. All very worrying though.

Can I ask what you're putting your LOs to bed in? Alys usually wears vest and sleepsuit with 1tog gro-bag or a thin fleece blanket. It feels a lot warmer today though. I've not checked the temperature in the bedroom but it feels wrong putting her to bed without a cover. I'm afraid I'm of the generation who thinks babies should be tucked up warm!

Hi ladies - hope your LOs are not finding the heat too much - can't believe how lovely it is - it's only April!! Mental!

L is a bit snuffly but generally very content. Rolling onto his side and still giggling loads - he's a right little floozy though and smiles gorgeously at anyone who smiles at him! :)

Sorry you're feeling down Rock - hope the doc's can help you.

gallic I'm keeping windows open at night (well, ajar, because otherwise my cats would come in and piss me off pop through, so L is still in a long-sleeved sleepsuit and bag (still 2.5 tog) but no covers so about the same as Alys I reckon. No idea what temperature it is in there though [bad 3rd time mother emoticon].

salt I've also got L's jabs on Tuesday, so probably won't go in after all (have to say, what with all the millions of bank holidays going on, I'd forgotten the fact it was INSET).

crysty hope you two feel better soon, it's not fun being ill with a snuffly babe (I second fuzzy's recommendation of snuffle babe for any of your LOs).

travis hope Saskia sorts her out sleep again soon - you don't want to be joining my club - it's Not Fun!

Missing all the other Late-Januaryers - hope you're all okay? cupcakes pootle florapost ryuk zippy etc - not forgetting all the latecomers who we clearly scared off :( (I blame those mentioning flattening of clothes!! :o)

Right, got to get myself mentally prepared - in-laws are invading tomorrow for the lonnnnnnng weekend - (invited themselves!! ). I shall be Nice. :)

Hello lovely ladies,

rock sorry to hear you are having a hard time, hope the doctor can help.

cupcake has posted on facebook in the last couple of days, she is back safely.

Kali had her second imms on tuesday and thankfully has been fine this time round.

We are loving this gorgeous weather esp with the school hols, off to Kendal for the day today with SIL.
I am also loving having Kali in pretty summer dresses

gallic I have kali in a long sleeved sleepsuit and bag but no vest - i too have no idea what the temp is (joins hubba in the bad mummy place ) but she seems happy enough.

hi all

finally left the house today after being in voluntary quarantine. hurrah!

gallic i'm also gardening - sorting out the rose beds and the veggie garden. it's very satisfying and i really hope i manage to grow a few veggies this year.

as to sleepwear - i have a very cold room, so he's in vest, sleepsuit and gro-bag still. if it gets warmer, i'll prob ditch one layer of clothes and keep the gro-bag, as i too want babies all wrapped up warm!

bubba good luck with the in laws.

ladyb slight of having a girl to dress up!

enjoy the sunshine everyone and Happy Easter!

Rose beds and veggie patches sounds divine. Unfortunately we only have a wee strip of soil next to where we park the cars as the upstairs flat has the benefit of the garden. I'd love to move to a house with a garden but that'll be a couple of years off.

Bedroom was 22 degrees last night. It's a weird layout so we don't have window to open but night start leaving door open for air to get in as she did seem a bit clammy.

I'm glad Kali's jabs went ok. Alys has her second lot next week and I think I'm going to book in her third lot now as there are so many bank holidays and we're going away at beginning of June too. I haven't had a little reminder through the post though like I did with the first set. Do they just assume we're good parents and will automatically get the immunisations done at the right time?

Took DD swimming this afternoon with the NCT girls and babes. Was lovely, she kicked her legs about and smiled at me. Am now trying to persuade DP we should take her this weekend so he can join in the fun.

We have her in a 2.5tog sleeping bag, plus vest and sleepsuit, I'm going to plug in the thermometer tonight and see what it's like, the house is quite cool but I don't want her overheating.

Hope Cupcakes is ok, I heard they were telling people to leave Syria again :(

Oh hello, Easter bunnie smilies [busmile]

2.5tog sleeping bag?! Bloody hell, I know it gets cold up north but we haven't used the 2.5 tog bag for ages.

[buhmm]

Morning all, been a hard week here as DH away for most of it so I'm hoping for an easier day today.

Rock hope you're ok, can you see the doc any sooner? Thinking of you.

I need a soppy mummy emoticon, I've got a new thing to be besotted about. Little feet are the most scrummy thing ever. As Evan hasn't had socks on for a couple of days it's my new obsession.
I'm enjoying the boys summer clothes LadyB as I haven't done that before though you're right little girls dresses are very sweet.
Hope you've all got weather like here for the long weekend. Off to fill up our paddling pool and sort out the egg hunt for DD. I've also got a cake mold in the shape of a rabbit's head but that can wait until mater as it's too hot for baking this morning.
Did I read right that Cupcakes is back in the UK or did you mean back in Syria. Hope all is ok.

cupcakes is back in Syria and watching the situation according to facebook.

Lovely weather here but can't really be bothered to go out. Too much like hard work. Think I'll slob around at home where no-one can see how crappy I look.

Easter egg hunts sound like fun. I left a bucket of eggs with my sister to entertain my nieces and nephew so looking forward to hearing how that goes.

Thanks for letting us know gallic - tell her we miss her!!

Very hot here all day (and a very sleepy boy) and it's now thundering - hurrah! love thunder storms :)

Huge thunderstorm here too and so much rain our roof is leaking ( it's as much to do with the fact our gutters are so blocked, oops).
Well it saved me watering the garden tonight. Hope the sun comes back tomorrow.

Hmm not sure jjkm. I've been prescribed the mini pill as it's just progesterone? and doesn't affect b-feeding. Speak to your GP about it but certainly sounds like it is hormonal doesn't it.

It is so hot in my flat as we are on top floor and have lovely massive windows (which are open most of the day) so Henry sleeps in his vest with a light cotton blanket on top. Then despite the thermometer light thingy being on red I usually also put a knitted blanket over his legs. By the time it's morning he's kicked everything off him anyway. I do have a growbag which I put him in during the day for his naps but he sleeps in his moses basket during the night and it would be too cramped for a grow bag as he is getting pretty big now.

Loving having DH home for so many days and loving the weather AND very happy as I expressed this morning and DH successfully gave Henry the bottle with no crying (from Henry!) Yay! This means I can go out for a good few drinks next Thursday whoop whoop!

Hubba still not sure whether i'm going to go in on Tuesday. Really want to show off baby but also don't want everyone to see me at my largest >vain emotion> and easter isn't helping as loads of chocolate in the fridge lol.

Just how much chocolate can a 2 year old receive! The answer is apparently lots. Oh well sure it means i can pinch some without her noticing

JJKM I'm on the mini pill too for the same reason as Salt don't know if that's worth a try for you?

Hope everyone else is enjoying Easter, we're having a lovely but very busy time so I'm planning an early night.

Happy Easter ladies and babies hope you have all had a lovely day.
The DSs got sooooo much chocolate, they will most definately need help eating it all

Off to Worcester tomorrow to see DB, SIL and 2 DNs - one brand new, can't wait for a cuddle.

Oh and FB update from Cupcake today, she is on her way back to the UK with all of the other spouses and children.

ILs leaving tomorrow (:o) so we're off to Burnham Beeches in Bucks. Second visit to your part of the world this week Fuzzy - am very of you as it's a gorgeous place to live. Whereabouts are you?

jjkm I used to be on the mini-pill for controlling heavy bleeding and fainting fits, and remember reading it was good for headaches too.

My DD1 is far too canny about choc eggs and has caught me out when I've tried to snaffle hers!! :(

Oh poor cupcakes - wonder where she'll live? I assume the FCO have to put them up somewhere equivalent? Hope she'll have time to come back to us at some point soon.