June 10 babies are growing apace, teething and crawling all over the place.

[CantSleepWontSleep]

Here we are ladies. Let's see if we can manage to chat a bit more on this one :).

Good to catch up on your news everyone. greensnail I dread to think what our Alice will end up saying... I am usually careful but she & DS were treated to some splendid language when I was trying to change lanes at an unfamiliar massive roundabout a few weeks ago.

Right now I am pretty worn out with DS and Alice. It's hard to figure out what combination of things is going on with Alice - another cold (groan), the two front top teeth finally making an appearance, but really slowly, and she also seems to have moved up a gear in terms of expressing herself with hand gestures and sounds that seem a lot more like talking (but aren't words IYSWIM) - and she wants to do it all the time. Or at least for the last 48 hours. Rather than sleep. Last night, after two hours of failing to get her to settle I decided just to keep her up till I went to bed - she didn't even look particularly tired then at 11. Tonight she was awake till 10.

And she has decided that biting my boob is hilarious - not really sure how to tackle that. I'm sure I read somewhere that you should say 'no' really firmly, but maybe I just lack the natural authority that's needed

Can I ask - are any of you BLWers finding that the mess has got less? I'm not, but it would be nice to think it might reduce at some point.

Thanks for that barbeasty. Good to know what to expect and great news that Ruth's eyes are ok. I was also wondering what they would do about it if she does have a squint. Trying to get Alice to keep glasses on would be hilarious although i would make her sister very jealous.

WWIsa, I say no firmly and end the feed immediately whenever I've been bitten. Seems to work ok for us, I think DD1 only ever did it once and Alice maybe 3 or 4 times. Hoping the sleep improves for you soon.

I seem to be feeding loads at the moment which is driving me a bit bonkers. Alice has learnt to say "gug" which is DD1's word for breastfeeding and uses this new skill to ask for it frequently. If I say no I end up with both of them chanting it at me until I either give in or find some other suitable distraction. I hope the novelty will wear off soon and she'll cut back a bit.

Alice has never been hugely messy with her eating, and usually like to eat tidily with her fork. DD1 used to create ridiculous amounts of mess and I can't remember when exactly that improved but I know she was much tidier by the time Alice was born which means it must have happened some time before 17 months.

barbeasty and Greensnail DT2 (raff) has also been referred to the eye hospital for a squint. Will report back when appt has happened. His was much more noticeable when newborn and has almost (but not fully) vanished.

BLW - I can't remember the exact moment when it got less messy. DD is certainly extremely neat at eating now. We are just trying to get the boys to eat from a spoon now - this means we pre-load it and place spoon on tray. This in itself is making things much less messy.

greensnail OMG the double rendition of "gug" must be hard to turn down!!

My ds1 has been regularly seeing the hospital orthoptist because he has a severe astigmatism. They said when he was barely 1 iirc that he would need glasses, but because of the difficulty in keeping them on (they can have a strap go round the back of their head to help them) they would put it off for a while. He last went in June, and still hasn't needed them badly enough to get them. He's now 2.9 In fact at his last appointment his astigmatism had improved. He's going again next month.

BLW mess here is all relative. My 5yo still tries to eat with her fingers unless I threaten her with Bad Things, so there is mess from all 3 dc. J has improved though, and can feed himself a plate of peas with a spoon as long as I accept that half of them will miss his mouth. He seems to like eating with a fork now too, but needs some help with stabbing stuff onto it.
He still eats very little though, preferring instead to drink milk regularly throughout the night . I am still hoping that his eating will improve once he actually bothers to get a tooth or two - still none at the moment.

My dd1 has been seen at the eye clinic since she was 2 & wears glasses although now just for close detail stuff. Because of this dd2 was referred too & has been seen twice so far, mainly what barbeasty said, lauren quite enjoyed it last time until she got bored & kept trying to hit everything they held in front of her face out of the way.
oh no all hell breaking out better go, will return later!!

Back again! Oh the joys of school holidays I can't seem to leave dd1 & 2 together without fights breaking out, dd1 (5) won't leave lauren alone always hugging her & lauren ends up smacking & biting her. When we are out they are lovely together & they are a real delight, at home it just seems like bloody hardwork!

la t - I have the biting problem too, lauren does it in temper or just if you are doing something she doesn;t like. Like above dd1 suffers the most, makes it hard as it is dd1 that winds lauren up a lot of the time but still feel like I have to tell lauren off even though dd1 has caused it. I also have a word with dd1 too btw about giving lauren some space. I started putting lauren in the playpen as a form of time out & so i could sort out dd1 but I don't want her to hate going in that. Now I tend to say "no biting" pick her up & just put her elsewhere in the room, normally a corner away from toys etc. Sometimes she cries, sometimes she seems to find it funny! She has such tantrums as well, really does seem like we have the terrible two's a year early at times!

At long last lauren is settling a bit better at night, still wakes up very frequently for bfeeds. Doesn't seem to be capable of sleeping longer tha n 3 hrs at a go. We have a big family birthday party I'm hosting on sat so after that I'm determined to try & stick it out at night rather than feeding her just to settle her but at the moment I just need some sleep!!

Hello there...not sure if any of you remember me....its been a while !

Been great catching up on your news....not much to report from here - school holidays with 3 of them underfoot are proving challenging . I delayed going back to work until mid-sept to resolve childcare issues through the break...initially it was all "how lovely, I'll get some real quality time with the bigger dcs" now I'm beginning to think its a good incentive to get me back into the office

Mia is still not crawling or walking . She will sort of bum-shuffle/semi-walk-whilst-sitting-down but its enormously labour intensive and not very efficient so she gives up (understandably). She will not use her knees or hands to propel herself, no matter what. And so she is still a total velcro baby, which is making school holidays even harder.

I was thinking about buying a sling today....probably should have done it a year ago but kept on thinking she would outgrow this phase. Now I no longer believe it....

Eating is fine, although she does like swiping the entire contents of her plate onto the floor the moment she thinks she's had enough, so I have to be quick :) And I love it that bottles are a thing of the past

Lots of talking and good pointing and stuff though, and lovely kissing and cuddles. So some good stuff too...thank goodness!

Worn out. Off to find wine and food. Love to all xx

PS LaT, I properly ROFLed at the idea of Daniel responding to 'sit' Genius :)

Ruth will occasionally swipe when she's finished, but more often she'll pick handfuls of food up and throw it on the floor until her plate/ highchair tray is clear. Sometimes she'll then point at bits and ask for them back

She is clean though. After tipping half a pint of water over me the other day, she handed me a cloth. When I stood up and collapsed in a coughing fit (which hid my giggling fit nicely) she started to wipe the sofa herself. I don't know where she gets it from, but if whoever taught her wiping up would like to teach her hoovering or ironing...

Poor Ruth has a black eye. It goes onto her forehead too. She got too adventurous on some steps in MIL's garden. She doesn't seem phased though. DH said he felt embarrassed dropping her at nursery today because of it, but nothing was said.

And my coughing fit has gone on to turn into bronchitis. When I got to the point where I was worried I would collapse in the shower because standing for 5 minutes exhausted me, and my temperature went over 40 degrees (after taking paracetomol!) I went to the doctors. The nurse was so shocked with my temperature she gave me antibiotics. She wasn't too happy when I said I can't have amoxicillin, when I added that I'm breastfeeding she had to go away and get help with what to prescribe. But they found something, and Ruth has been ok with it so far (I'm probably more concerned with all the paracetomol she's getting from me!)

But I'm "enjoying" some quiet time at home as there's no way I can go into work, and no way I could look after Ruth all day. MIL has been great- I was due to have Ruth last Friday and this Monday so that she had a long weekend off from looking after her, but she had her all Friday afternoon and then all day on Monday.

I was also grateful that the dentist, who I was meant to see on Monday, was off sick so I didn't have to pay for missing an appointment.

I just hope Ruth, DH and MIL don't catch what I've had.

barbeasty bad luck with the bronchitis - I had it in June but not as badly as you. DS had a hacking phlegmy cough for weeks before I became ill, but Alice and DH escaped. Funny about Ruth clearing up with the cloth - Alice also seems to like wiping up the many big spills she makes

filly good to hear from you - I am struggling with 2 dcs until DS starts Reception class on 16th Sept, so am full of admiration for the various women on this thread who seem to take 3 dcs in their stride.

Must go and figure out something reasonably stimulating that I can do with Alice and DS tomorrow. Nandos lunch maybe?

barbeasty bad luck with the bronchitis - I had it in June but not as badly as you. DS had a hacking phlegmy cough for weeks before I became ill, but Alice and DH escaped. Funny about Ruth clearing up with the cloth - Alice also seems to like wiping up the many big spills she makes

filly good to hear from you - I am struggling with 2 dcs until DS starts Reception class on 16th Sept, so am full of admiration for the various women on this thread who seem to take 3 dcs in their stride.

Must go and figure out something reasonably stimulating that I can do with Alice and DS tomorrow. Nandos lunch maybe?

I fell off the end here again. I've been painting our kitchen and generally getting ready for a visit from PIL after the children are in bed lately, which is why. Back soon.

Hi all,

Comiserations on the cling on baby Filly. Sabela wasn't clingy but boy was she demanding in comaprison to Danny. It's wearing. Danny has had his moments, notably almost the whole time DH was away, when he got two molars through and was ill too. ugh.

WWISA and Barbesty - DD1 is like that and was as a baby. She still has to clean every spill. Warning! It is possible to tire of it.

It is only a matter of time until Daniel joins the serious black eye stakes. He is a lunatic, climbing everywhere and falling off constantly. Today at bedtime he climbed DD's step up to the sink and then hung off the edge of the sink trying to get his leg up on the bath. He fell, of course, and while he was still crying got up and started trying it again. Madness. I've decided not to try and stop him or comfort him unless it's either very dangerous on the one had or very bad on the other as he has to learn. If he's going to climb, he's going to fall.

I'm starting to worry about his temper. I don't remember DD protesting like he does when stopped from doing something. He really gets so cross at any interference. I need some new tools in my parenting box!

Mia's temper is so vile that she will lie on the floor having a full tantrum (and head banging) just because I say 'no' to something. Oh, and she will fling herself back in full drama queen manner and scream several times during a meal if she doesn't get exactly what she wants, the moment she wants it.

Am a bit at this, as dd1 and ds didn't hit tantrum stage until waaaay later...

Mostly, we just ignore it.

Off to Lollibop in a bit....DD1 is very excited about seeing Waybuloos and Zingzillas....not sure how I feel but grateful to MN for free tickets :)

I've been out of the loop for a few intersting weeks - J has learnt to walk and got his first teeth all in the same week (It was rather traumatic), but for me the worst was walking into John Lewis Children's shoes section to get him measured for his first shoes (bless him, size 2F!) He has quickly learnt that shoes going on mean we're going out and is lovin the freedom this brings him - mainly to eat gravel and other stones....!

He's BLW but is trying to feed himself (unless he's grumpy) - we have just progressed to the fork and he's making a good effort at stabbing food. He's most sucessful (aka least messy) when the spoon/fork is pre-loaded. He did demolish two bowls full of salmon risotto last week - wet food seems to be his preference.

Summer holidays means he's turned quite clingy, although I'm not sure if this is just more teeth on the way. I'm starting to struggle to find things to do as I get bored senseless just playing around the house. Anyone got any good suggestions - he loves baby gym, but we can't do that everyday!???

Am in chicken pox hell!!!

:( Minimoo - you have my sympathy...

Am in school holidays hell :)

:( minimoo - are they poorly with it or just fed up at being housebound?

Barbeasty, hope you're feeling better soon.

Well, Alice has finally caught up with the great stairs race and I keep finding her standing at the top apparently contemplating how best to launch herself back down. All my attempts to teach her to climb down safely are failing as she insists on holding my hand then jumping down. Can I ask what others are doing with stair safety? I never really had this issue with DD1 as 1. she is the most cautious child in the world ever and 2. we lived in a flat. We currently have a stair gate at the top of the stairs which is only shut at night in case DD1 gets up and is a bit disorientated and now if Alice is on the loose upstairs. I suppose I really need a gate at the bottom now to keep Alice from climbing up but I'm a bit reluctant as I want DD1 to be able to go up on her own when she wants to or if she needs to come and find me upstairs.

LaT- Alice has attempted that exact same manouver to get herself into the bath with the same consequences!

DD1 now refuses to get into the bath with her unless she's really messy as she spends the whole bath time worrying about what Alice is getting up to. Alice likes to stand up and throw herself backwards so she lands back in the water with a big splash. I think it looks like fun too, but DD1 says it is very dangerous

Hello - really enjoyed being back in the UK for a couple of weeks (and Peppa Pig World was fantastic - I highly recommend it), but we spent a lot of the time there sick, and still not completely recovered. I'm wondering how I am going to get through the next 5 weeks of school holidays with 3 DCs...

I'm really not keeping up here but will be back. DH away again.

How does anyone keep up with ironing? I've been at it for an hour and a half and still can't see the top of my basket....

hi, braveGirl we get out of the house either to the swings or to the great theme park that is Sainsbury'sWorld or, for a change, WaitroseWorld! Tom loves whizzing round in the trolley and chatting up strangers. We get to chat, as he's on my level and it's bright and colourful - I expect they'l start charging entry when they realise that some babies like it so much. Another choice is walking through the woods and chatting to trees (him AND me) or feeding the ducks in the park, who are now the size of small turkeys after eating pounds of bread most days. LaT the answer is not to iron - I had, until recently, an almost entirely jersey cotton wardrobe and never ironed at all although I have accidentally bought some shirts now which I am trying to convince myself look 'better creased casual'.

I have ironed twice since DD1 was born. I think by the time you've been wearing the clothes for an hour it makes no difference at all - ironed clothes will be a little creased and non-ironed clothes will have lost most of their creases by then!

Hello Lovely Ladies,

Have been pretty rubbish at keeping up with this thread! I'm now back at work part time and find the weeks are just flying by!

All good with us. Alice isn't walking yet but is pulling herself up against furniture and is an excellent climber! She is a chatterbox just like DD1 and her favourite word is more!! We have her first session at nursery next week when I'll stay with her and then a couple of settling in sessions before she starts properly in September when DD1 starts school full time.

Off to read through this thread and see how everyone else is getting on. Will try and post more often

Thanks guys, was a false alarm with ds2 - annoying actually as he's had all the bad bits of the pox without actually having it! ds1 was okay, just went a bit stir crazy & had 3 or 4 days of that post-viral short fuse crossness which was exhausting. I understand that ds2 may still get it so still avoiding a lot of activities and other friends with little ones/pregnant friends - annoying for the hols! Ah well.

So how is everyone coping with the school hols?? I honestly don't know how you do it - must be half way through now though??

LaT - ironing - hahahahaha

Greensnail- thanks, the fever's gone. But I went to the doctor today because if anything the cough is worse and I'm wheezing. So I'm now on a double strength course of antibiotics, an inhaler, and I have a chest x-ray booked for tomorrow to check for infection. Apparently my wheeze is bad, and the doctor was struggling to believe that I've never had asthma.

I took Ruth in yesterday (to the same doctor) because she's had a cough for about 6 weeks now, and it sometimes gets so bad it makes her sick. So, no fever and a wheeze (sounds familiar!) and the doctor has said that, whilst they can't really diagnose it this young, she has asthma. So we've got an inhaler and facemask attachment to use on her twice a day.

Yet again, I couldn't think of the family history of asthma, but MIL's side of the family have a history- one of her brothers died from it as a teenager.

We've yet to use the inhaler on her, as it had to be ordered in, but I can see it being interesting. I think quite a few teddies might be treated for asthma this afternoon to try and make it fun. Wish me luck!

And as for ironing..... I can't say I did much before I had Ruth, let alone now. I have 1 skirt that needs a pleat ironed in and a linen dress which both get ironed. Nothing else does. Ever. I agree with the theory that once you've worn it a while you can't tell if it started creased and has been worn a bit flatter, or started ironed and is now a bit creased. Especially if you get DH to wear a jumper over a shirt...

Also Greensnail- we've gone for gates across 2 rooms (lounge and Ruth's bedroom) so we can shut her in if needs be, and only let her into the hall if one of us is with her. Could you rig up something at the bottom, which Alice can't open but DD1 could? No better suggestions I'm afraid.

We had another first at the weekend- Ruth ate her first wax crayon. Luckily it was only a small bit, but she was moaning and biting when I tried to get as much as possible out of her mouth when we spotted it.

Hope everyone's ok, and glad to be back to work tomorrow- I love having days off with Ruth (MIL is away for a couple of days), but I've been left so drained by my chest infection that haven't managed to do much. Good luck to all those coping with the summer holidays.

Just won the blebo trial thing too :)

Hurrah for MN :)

Boo for having a tummy bug on holiday in Devon :(

And it turns out Mia is just as willing to scream for 20 minutes solid in Devon as she is in London. Even if I am only 30 centimetres away from her in full line of sight. No tears, just screaming. Stops as soon as I pick her up.

Any ideas, anyone? I really don't know what I should do....I've tried ignoring it (no difference), I've tried giving in and holding her the whole time (makes no difference, she's furious as soon as I go to the loo or something).....she's nearly 14 months and can crawl if she wants to but all she wants to do is scream until I pick her up....help!!