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 :).

[CantSleepWontSleep]

hello. off to bed now but just adding this back to my list, as it's not bumping up when people post.

quick responses to 2 questions asked....

haven't heard re 8 month check. think it's supposed to be 8-10 months round here, but they change it so often that I'm not completely sure

no idea re birthday present, although I do still have 2 full months to go so haven't really thought about it yet. Wheelybugs are fabulous, but we have 2 already (both sizes). Puky trikes also fab but we have already.
That cart looks good, but think that the older 2 would commandeer it and J wouldn't get a look in. Sandpit also a recommendation for those that don't have one already.

Right must go to bed. Hopefully back to catch up more properly tomorrow.

[latrucha]

So, I totally failed to be as nice with the DCs at night as DH is!

IT went like this: I went to bed. They both woke up. I settled DD in her room, I settled DS in our room. DD woke up. Settled her. DS woke up. I couldn't settle him. DD woke up while DS awake. DS trying to crawl off our bed constantly. I thought 'HELP!', expleained to DD that she couldn't sleep in our room as ahe wouldn't sleep but I would stay with her while I taught Danny to go to sleep by himslef. Did controlled crying with DS. Went to sleep after about 40 minutes. I went to bed. He woke up. I made up a bed for myself in DDs room in despair. Danny went to sleep, as did all of us until 6am.

I am hopeless. I can't hack co-sleeping with two including a kamikazee baby. DH is officially a nicer parent than me.

I do plan to do the same again tonight though.

[BraveGirl]

Fair play to you LaT, you are much braver than I - I wouldn't even entertain co-sleepingwithone, let alone 2!
We have made the decision to try for number two...If all goes well the age difference will be 20 months. Obviously given my history of miscarriages I'm playing it by ear. Haven't told anyone in RL, but actually am really excited - please keep my secret?

[greensnail]

ooh, I'm excited for you too BraveGirl. I think 20 months is a lovely age gap if it works out that way (I have a 17 month gap between my two).

LaT, sounds like you did brilliantly, sounds like hard work! Hope tonight goes ok for you

[latrucha]

Thanks! We'll see how tonight is.

How exciting BraveGirl. IT's a nice age gap. But so is two and a half years, which is what I've got!

[CantSleepWontSleep]

Blimey BraveGirl, did you conceive very easily last time? I've never met anyone so optimistic about a quick conception! But good luck - yes it is exciting. I have a 20/21 month gap between ds1 and ds2. I think it's harder work now than the 2.8 yr gap I had between dd and ds1, but I can't be sure that that's down to the gap rather than the fact that I've got 3 of them now, and I think it will make the boys closer when they are older.

No way could I co-sleep with 2 of them LaT. I struggle enough on the odd occasion that I co-sleep with just J now, as my bed isn't against a wall, so too easy for him to fall out. Good luck for tonight.

Welcome back mampam.

[Fillybuster]

Gosh...well, I've spent a full 30 minutes reading and I've finally caught up on the thread...sorry for disappearing for a whole month - time seems to go by so fast at the moment, especially with half term followed by the easter hols etc...anyway, I'm sort of caught-up but I'm sorry if I mess up on the personals, now....

Mia is still the Limpet-Baby-From-Hell. We had a lovely 10 days in Tel Aviv over Easter, seeing friends and family, and the big dcs had a great time, but M was a liottle so-and-so: she screamed blue murder every time anyone came near her, or if I put her down for a split second and was generally very hard work. She also pretty much went on hunger strike, and refused to open her mouth for any food at all, which I find really stressful. She started refusing all puree about 6 weeks ago - so I've had to go down the BLW route as madam is determined to eat whatever her big DD and DS are haivng and won't let me help AT ALL - no laughing at me please CSWS and LaT :) She then finally cut her first tooth a few days ago and has sort-of started eating again, although seems very unkeen on most protein - but she does love her fruit and veg and I'm trying to stay calm about it all...the other 2 dcs eat really well so I'm going to assume she'll end up being the same by their age. DH keeps reassuring me that they were the same...At least she still sleeps :)

I'm going back to work in 5 weeks and feeling quite stressed about it. Unfortunately most of the jobs I applied for have been put on hold (oh the joys of job-hunting in a recession) and so I'm going back to my old job. Not sure I posted about it, but the a*sehole who was covering my mat leave made it clear he didn't intend to vacate my position...anyway, apparently I'm sort-of getting my job back but the whole thing is chanigng anyway. Off to Head Office on Friday for a meeting with my new boss to get the details...

Mia will be starting the settling-in at nursery in early June - hopefully it will help with the screaming heebie jeebies separation anxiety. My other 2 dcs had exactly the same thing and it stopped as soon as they were crawling - so only a few more months to go.... No crawling here at all, and only the tiniest bit of bumshuffling, although she loves pulling up to standing, which DD1 and DS never did...

Not going to really bother with birthday presents, I think: she's #3 and there's not much space/left we don't have. Maybe a couple of small toys so the big dcs don't get cross with me...

LaT - how are you getting on? I think you're on the right track, in terms of dh working on nights, but you need to be kinder to yourself: you're an amazing, commmitted and caring mum, just a bit frazzled and in need of more sleep. I look forward to your 'my teenagers sleep all day and wont get up' threads in about 12 years time...:)

MrsAR - are things better now that you know about the allergies?

Mampam - welcome back!

Pogue - welcome back to you, too - where are you living? How are you finding life on your own with 3 dcs? How are the dcs adjusting to the move?

Bravegirl - good luck :) We've got nearly 2.5 years between our 3 and its a great gap, but I think anything over 20 months is fairly manageable...and mine really love playing together - we found childcare much easier with 2 than 1 :) Very of your weight loss although I would hate the dairy-free thing....:)

CSWS - sympathy on the heavy limpet baby...although I think J is a lot heavier than M! How is your thumb now?

Greensnail- broody???

Definitely stopping at 3 here...they are very lovely (mostly) but it definitely feels like enough. We'll get a dog when Mia can walk, maybe, but no more babies...we've been giving away and ebaying all our baby stuff, and it actually feels like a relief. I'm totally positive I don;t want to be pregnant again :)

Sorry for a stupidly long post....

[BraveGirl]

Well CSWS, I'd like to think we're fairly good at the conception stuff...however the rest was never easy.
1st conception happened 1st time trying but miscarried by 12 weeks
2nd conception happened 4th time trying but miscarried at 9 weeks
3rd conception happened 2nd time trying....and was ultimately sucessful.

DH has decided he'd like to get J a bouncy castle for 1st birthday (junior version in costco - approx £40).
Does anyone else have a baby who won't go on grass!!!??

[Barbeasty]

Ruth hates grass. If she has to crawl across it to get to the gravel (which she would rather crawl on, or eat) then she will keep one leg in the air so it doesn't have to touch the grass. Bizarre but quite amusing to watch.

I've just had a call from the HV team and someone is coming next week to do the 9-12 month development check. I love the way every area seems to have a slightly different age range for this. Does anyone know what they are looking at?

After your comments, it looks as though we're definitely going for the bug ride-on. Just got to choose between the ladybird and bee versions.

[latrucha]

Thanks everyone. Last night was fine. Daniel didn't really cry at all. I had to go in three or so times but just for a stroke. He's teething badly today, so I may not be so lucky.

DD hated grass. That's why she started wearing shoes just because it was so diifficult without them. She's always really funny about textures and mess still. She's the only toddler I know who eats with a serviette plus knife and fork, or sometimes more than one. She's very worried by Daniel's mess when eating but will sometimes ask if she can use her fingers too. I've been tyring to encourage her to eat with her fingers since 6 months old!

Daniel is completely the opposite. I took him to the park for a picnic today and no sooner had I taken him from the pram than he was off to see the pigeons. As it was a safe enough place I decided to see just how far he would go before looking for me and it was a good 15 yards before he even turned round. Scary. And he eats grass and plays with daisies, which is cute.

[latrucha]

Oh, our check was a measure and weigh plus questions like, is he sitting, is he eating family foods, is he babbling, is he cruising, is he picking things up with thumb and forefinger.

Ours was at 8 months, though so yours may be different.

We are, despite what I said before, completely divided about a thinrd. We'd both love one, but everything practical screams no. The main obstacle for us is pregnancy. I do really get so sick we would need paid help, but money is tightish as it is. Very sad not to have another for that reason though sensible.

[MonkeyMargot]

Just quickly readding to my list too. Been busy as moved out of our house last week, and been staying at my parents, but finally moving into the new house tomorrow - and no broadband initially so will be out of the loop.

Good luck LaT with the sleeping :-)

Boys doing well. Both standing up lots, moving constantly. Both are ENORMOUS. Almost 2 stone each now. They look like a couple of thugs!

Hi filly. Hope you have a good start back at work. The guy filling in for you on your mat.leave sounds like a k*ob!!

[greensnail]

Wow, big boys MM. I've not had Alice weighed for ages but I'm sure she's nowhere near that big. Hope the move has gone well today. Let me know if I can help out with any local info!

I feel like everyone I know is pregnant at the moment or TTC. DH reminded me last night that they're all having first or second babies which we've already done, but it doesn't stop my broodiness. LaT, would you consider having a bigger gap and then going for a third? Our main reason for not going for a third is similar to yours, in that we know with my liver issues in pregnancy I would not be able to care for two small children through another pregnancy. We've decided we may think about it again once DD1 is at school and reconsider whether its an option then.

Alice has refused all breast milk during the day today, then had a massive feed at bedtime. I'm reluctant to mention sleep on this thread as it always leads to bad nights for us, but am feeling very curious to see how this change in milk habit affects the night tonight.

[latrucha]

Greensnail - I'm 38 in July, so I don't feel all that confident waiting longer. DH is 40 this year and doesn't really fancy being a third time Dad much older than that. I know people do have children at much greater ages but it's not for us, or at least not for DH. Also, I sort of feel it will soon either be time to have another and get all the baby and toddler stage done together or it will be time to move on. I'd love to be able to think about it again in 5 years, but it's not for us.

Some days Daniel is not that interested in milk, other days he's a little suck monster.

I seem to have a problem. Daniel is sleeping much better. Last night was not quite so good but the thing about it was, he was very wakeful between about 1.30 and 2. I went in to settle him several times, which he seemed to like, but he wouldn't stay. Eventually, I thought I would just try closing the door (I have the door between the room where DD and I were sleeping and the room he was sleeping in open and they are very close). As soon as I closed his door he fell asleep.

I think he just doesn't like being in the same room as anyone else while he's sleeping. DH suspected it as he always woke as soon as DH went to bed and not before. I think he's right, which is a huge problem as we only have a two-bedroom house! DH and I might both be sleeping on the sofa bed! Either that or DD will achieve her ambition of sleeping in our room and D will go in her room by himself.

Blimey!

[greensnail]

LaT - yes, I can see that would make a big difference. I'm only 29 so have time on my side. I feel the same about probably not wanting to go back to the baby stage in a few years time, but its still nice for me to feel that it could be an option.

That's really interesting about Daniel. DD1 is also really insistent she has the door closed to go to sleep. Maybe he could sleep in the cupboard under the stairs like Harry Potter!

[dinosaurinmybelly]

Hello - feeling very exhausted here. Zoe is feasting on milk at the moment and I'm trying increase her intake of solids so that I can get more of a break, but often she is not interested. She has had a serious bout of teething recently and is now on tooth no. 10, so at first I thought it was just comfort for that, but she has just turned 11 months and I'm now keen to get her on cows milk at 12 months to relieve me of some pressure and hopefully fill her up more so that she sleeps better at night. She often wakes 2 or 3 times for a quick feed and I was hoping that would stop naturally, but now feel action needs to be taken.

I have 20months between DS1 & DS2, as well as between DS2 and Zoe Bravegirl. It is difficult in the early days, but I think all age gaps are. Now though, it is less physical as they do interact well. Good luck!

[latrucha]

DIMB - you might not find it that bad getting her off the milk at night at this age, but a helping hand from someone else to settle her might be useful. Is it possible?

Sleep. Daniel did two nights sleeping straight through in a room on his own. It was fab. But that sleeping arrangement meant me sleeping on DD's floor and DH on the sofa bed so we decided to try something more rational and we put them in the same room AT LAST! It's pretty difficult TBH. DD is being very good and staying in bed and not complaining as long as I am there until she sleeps. The first night Daniel and she woke up a fair bit but settled and eventually slept. LAst night something was bothering Daniel and was waking constantly - and waking DD. I gave him milk and calpol which I haven't done for months and ended up sleeping on the very narrow strip of floor between their beds. He did sleep, even gave a cute little sigh of pleasure when he saw me there and went to sleep, but I can't take it long term. Not sure if I can even take another night! DH may work nights etc, although this would mean me walking two hours a day to do two nursery runs (I don't drive), rather than one and it's pretty tiring in itself.

Any advice?

[greensnail]

LaT, could DH do the nights until a certain time (maybe 3 or 4 am) then you handle any night wakings after that point so he can go to sleep and get a lie in. Then he could be up in time to do the second nursery run and you'd be able to sleep undisturbed for the first part of the night.

We're planning a small birthday party for Alice, although are getting worried we might have invited too many people. Will be fine if it's sunny and they can play in the garden but will be a squash if everyone's stuck inside. It was a scorcher last year when I was in labour so hoping for the same this year!

[minimoonumbertwo]

greensnail I was just going to ask about birthdays!! So exciting. Crap have just burnt the rice back in a min

[CantSleepWontSleep]

laT - could you put Daniel in your dd's room on his own for a few nights to get him used to the location, and have dd in with you, and then once he's used to the room, move dd back in there with him?

bravegirl - fingers crossed for successful conception and pregnancy soon.

still surviving on 4-5 hours sleep a night here. just got past (touches wood) a few nights of ds screaming lots when I put him down, but he still feeds a couple of times in the night and it takes 45mins - an hour each time, and then he starts the day about 5:30. I had to nap for 15 mins on the sofa this afternoon whilst he was asleep and ds1 was looking at some books as I thought I would fall asleep driving to school otherwise.
Anyway, now on day 9 of dh being away, and another 9 to go, and we're all still alive!

[latrucha]

Thanks CSWS - it's our plan B but I doubt we'd ever get DD out of our room again.

DD had a tummy ache last night so little sleep. Daniel seemed to be better. He's waking every two hours, and I had been goin in to pat, shush etc but thought he'd just get too used to it so 'slept' on the floor again last night and didn't do any settling, was just there. He seemed to sleep better. Hopefully it will break his waking habit. still got lousy sleep though as D like an octopus in a handbag all night.

[latrucha]

DD=octopus!

[MrsDmamee]

Hi All...just a quick drop in before I rush off again to get E her dinner.

We are all still in the US and it doesnt look like we'll be home anytime soon. But the 3 dc have settled in well.
E is a very contented 10 month old, loves sitting surrounded by toys.
DH says" he's never seen a baby who loves sitting as much as she does"

Pogue so sorry to here of your seperation but I hope being back home surrounded by family is helping

LaT sending you some go to sleep dc's vibes!! E is a good sleeper as is ds2 but ds1 still doesnt get the whole bedtime = go to sleep.

MrsA So sorry to hear of your LO's allergries

No chance of me ever being pg again...3 is enough for me and after 2 em-cs and SPD on all 3 pregnancies. I never want to go through any of that again. The thought horrifies me.

SIL announced her 2nd pg over easter (on skype!) her DC1 will be 22 months when new baby arrives. Sad in a way to be so far away from all the family, new Nephew/Niece will be 5 months old by the time we meet him/her
And E will have a quiet 1st birthday next month with no GP's to spoil her.

[latrucha]

Any tips on two sharing your attention? DS won't let me play any games alone with DD; DD won't let DS play any games with us both. Managing it, but tips would be appreciated!

[Fillybuster]

Sorry for being utterly crap at the moment. Mia is still not crawling and demands to be held (or at least be right next to me) at all times...sigh...

How much milk are ff babies getting at the moment? We're on 3 bottles a day, about 6oz in the morning (4 to drink, 2 in weetabix), I offer 4 in a cup in the afternoon but she doesn't really drink it, and she generally downs 7oz before bed. Is this normal?

Also...help on weaning/food please! Mia loves vegetables (esp tomatoes and courgettes) but won't eat potatoes and mostly won't eat anything that has 'texture' like fish, chicken, meat etc. She quite likes chicken cocktail sausages and will eat cheddar cheese, bread and pasta, but that's about it. Any suggestions? I feel like I'm at my wits end as my other 2 dcs were much easier at this stage.

(DH says the other 2 weren't easier but that I have conveniently forgotten....!)