The CRESH Creche and Spa - future home of all ESH

[Muser]

I liked the CRESH acronym more than FESH so have used it. Welcome all ESH to your final stop on the journey. Rest your aching lady bits, try one of the many gin based cocktails, and try to molest the gorgeous waiting staff.

I found that Artie fell into a routine on his own at about 4m. before that he was all over the place.

No more sick last night thankfully, although he cried when I picked him up. I think was relief and wanting a cuddle/feed as he was wingey until we got home and fed him and then he was all smiles.

No painting was done.

Germs are good in moderation. It's a proven fact that kids exposed to other children's germs while they were babies are less likely to get leukaemia. I posted a link to the research once but can't be arsed to do it again today. Anyway, I am hoicking my disease-riddled baby round everywhere for the good of other people's kids, not because I am fed up of sitting in the house with him and TT in the school hols. That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it.

You're right alps, it probably is to do with starting nursery, but she's only done two half days and one full day in the last three weeks! Put we've paid for three more, and that's more than £100 down the drain. I wouldn't mind if it was just coughs and sneezes but she's in a right mess. I got three hours' sleep last night, because she was hysterical and didn't know what to do with herself. She'd come in for a cuddle and then bat me away, all the while writhing about on the bed. I ended up in floods of tears myself. I've had to bring in reinforcements (SIL) for tomorrow, so I can go to the hospital and try to get my self sorted out. My wrists are so bad I can't wipe my own backside properly, never mind cart my disease ridden child around! Not that we are keeping her indoors, just out of nursery. SFF has her today and they'll go off and do what they have to do, hindered, I'm sure, by plenty of crying.

Hope LG's eyes are better soon. And Artie isn't still pukey.

Sorry to be so moany. I just need some rest.

muse plenty of cuddles and food immediately after the event. Good luck - you'll feel it more than her.

And Petit Filou is a lifesaver in our house.

Casp Sounds like end of tether is being reached, poor you. :( I have no helpful advice but am thinking of you. Poorly children plus poorly mum is NOT good.

I have immunisations on Wednesday. Poor Berwhale had to have his BCG last week - horrible to watch the needle go in and he howled and swatted the GP round the face when it was done, but a feed and a cuddle later and all was forgotten. Should pick up some calpol tho', ta for the reminder.

Anyone know where the Internet will explain to me how to bf in a sling? Have been looking, but nada so far...

Typing one handed so brief, soz... laughing out loud at the escaping poo.

Drom what sort of sling you got? The manual for mine is online and that shows you, but if yours is vastly different prob won't be much help. I can email you the pdf though if you want it? Msg me on t'other place.

Muse not ignoring you re chiro - will respond when have a bit more time.

TRied a bit of formula again last night at half ten. She took it really well, was a really nice feed....... and was then awake between two and six last night (constantly) crying and vomming and burping/farting. Bollox. I am a shell of a woman this morning.

Cas your poor wrists! Hope you get them sorted out. The woman I did my return-to-work course with last time had a similar problem. It was as a result of pregnancy hormone changes, and by a year after birth had sorted itself out.

Drom I consider myself to be a reasonably competent sling-er, and I have never been able to BF in a sling except sitting down and concentrating on it. I had images of being able to stride through town without stopping to BF - not a reality for me, I'm afraid. If you find out - let me know how!

Ta, Cass! It's a Kari-Me, and I just cannot work out the logistics.

Arsebollocks to formula. Could it be the brand? I know they're all the same, really...

muse If it's an light at the end of the tunnel, Bear fell in to a routine (suiting us) at around 12 weeks-ish. We didn't push it until then, just figured he'd do as we did. And even now, if he's "refusing" to sleep, if we lie next to him and close our eyes he copies.

curly You poor thing. :( I'm going to get you one of those hats with straws and beer cans on, you can't be doing with the heavy lifting with drinks. As your wrists are so painful have you considered getting a lighter buggy? I just found the Quinny monstrously heavy (not good for c-sectioners or the arthritic I'm sure :( ) - the new lightweight one can be carried in one hand, thrown in to the boot and collapsed with one hand. I would suggest a sling but I'd imagine getting her in and out of that would be Crystal Maze-like right now. I am glad to hear your SIL is coming to help you out a little. Why not try and escape for an hour to read a paper/drink gin good coffee and not have to listen to screeching?

Oh Curly I didn't see the bit about your wrists. What's wrong with them? I'm sorry, you've probably had to explain a million times before... so sorry you're in so much pain.

Drom mine's a Close one. I don't know how they differ in terms of setup but I will email you the pdf in case it helps. Just fed in it; it definitely eases the load on your back and wrists - I have problems with mine on and off, and BFing definitely sets them off. I am not striding around the place, though I did manage to walk across the living room and keep her latched on. But it just means you can be hands free...

Thanks you lovely lot. I'm sorry I ranted earlier - droid just showed up, so I think that explains much.

cass I have Rheum Arthritis and it's been going haywire since Squeaks was 7 weeks old. Drug combo that previously controlled it isn't working and I'm getting worse. But there has been talk of starting biologic treatment, and I should get some answers on that tomorrow.

alps I actually don't find the Quinny too much trouble, but we also have a light pushchair. It's lifting Squeaks that's problematic right now - and simply holding her still to feed/dress etc. I put her in the sling the other day and it wasn't too bad on my back and shoulders, until she decided she wanted out and tried to climb up my tits.

Just caught up on the poo story .

Must go - just been called to do some actual work.

curly I think you're allowed to rant at us - safety in numbers et al - and it gives SSF a break. Biological treatment? Yikes, why am I getting flashbacks of Terminator 4?

boxer Forgot to say, the saddle bag sounds absolutely beautiful - but when was the last time you saw a saddle with D-rings? I think the "WOW" trekking ones have them... but neither of my Stubben's have them. I just have a saddle cloth with bags in. Never know where to put my phone though... fall off + land on it ,or fall off + see it canter off in to the distance?

Alps saddle is an Albion. Lots of people I know who hunt have ancient saddles passed down from father to son that have D rings, and all mine when I was little had them, so I never gave it any thought. But a quick check with my lovely old-fashioned saddler reveals it will be the work of just an hour or 2 to fit D rings. He might even be able to fit me in before the weekend so Silv and I can swoon over my lovely little bag together. That sounds wrong, doesn't it?

I prefer to fall on my phone, btw. Sweeties and map go in saddle bag. I have a separate canvas bag which clips on the front for water, but I am dropping big hints to OH that I would like a crystal flask in a leather case for the front of my saddle for Christmas/birthday. For the putting in of home made sloe gin, of course. Something like this

boxer I was going to say, the only people I know who have D-rings on their saddles are either the ancient hunting ones as you say, or ones which were used by the army, possibly in the Boer war! Well done on finding the master saddler!

My saddlebags I gave away when I went to Jordan on a charity ride across Wadi Rum over 5 days. I gave them to the owner of my borrowed horse. My horse turned out to be fantastic. Our first couple of days today together had me concerned as I couldn't ride one side of it. One of the handlers hopped on it and rode it round a bit, brought it back and told me the horse would be the best. I did have my doubts as it kept trying to throw itself and me all over the shop. The camping left a bit to be desired!!!!

I'd love to ride across Wadi Rum. I had a potter about once there on a camel, but it was barely an hour, let alone 5 days!

Before I forget, thanks Cass and Alps for the word processing tips. CV writing is creeping to the top of my to-do list

Had the hosses weighed on a proper weighbridge today - the lady from Spillers came. MotherHorse is quite a lot heavier than I thought....about 100kilos to be precise. Have been under-dosing the wormers for the last 10 years - ooops . BabyHorse is also heavier than I thought & just a few kilos short of half a tonne [fatso]...he is my first born and it growing-up fast!!!

Ver jealous of the Wadi Rum ride. Also on the to-do list but not anywhere near the top.

curls So sorry for you - that sounds like crap! And it must be horrible adjusting to returning to work at the same time as having the worries with squeaks and the RA hurty pain.

box I would be with you on assuming most saddles have D rings. If it wasn't dark I would go out to the garage and check mine right now. As teenagers we used to load up our saddles for all-day rides and tie all sorts of stuff on with baling twine. Have those days passed?

hello lurking lady here... I just thought I'd pop in with some useless points of view on stuff. Also some gin for curly. Boo to the hurty wrists lovely. x

Muser I was doing my nut in for months as it took ages to get to a routine (which we eventually imposed a month and a bit ago when we knew he was big enough to manage it). I didn't really feel that he spaced his feeds out until he was between 3- 4 months to be honest. Sometimes he went 3-4 hours and sometimes 2. It's only now he is on a routine I realise what it takes to distract and distract and distract from the feed. That said, it's way easier now he's older and more distractible. I'm not sure I would have done it as early as you - I wanted to feed him when he wanted to be fed IYSWIM. So what I guess I'm saying is, I'm a fan of routine, but only if you are up for it. I was happy enough for the early months but then I really needed to have a structure and get my nights back when I knew he was only using me as a way of getting back to sleep and not because he was hungry. This worked in 24 hours so I can highly recommend!!!! We've had 11-7 every night since... It's basically Gina. But happy to tell you more when we do eventually meet up!!!! Definitely try to get going with a bedtime routine early though, even if you have to go up and down the stairs 6 times before you go to bed - it will pay dividends eventually as they will understand the process of going to bed and long for it!

We are all ok this end. Working 2 days a week offically and every evening and weekend unofficially. Knackered but happy and loving my boy who is such a gorgeous monkey and so much fun. I have to say, I am loving this stage so mucn more than the early days. Feel guilty for saying but it is true. He is so funny. Anyway ranting on thanks to half a bottle of wine and no guilt thanks to wearning off the boob finally. Felt sad about it to begin with. but it is GREAT and finally can go OUT!!!

Today I have discovered that if one must BF one's demanding baby who wants the milk, wants to look around, wants the milk, etc, meaning one is pinned in the same place for some time, there are worse places to do it than in the hammock in the sunshine. I just need to get over the fact that I have 2 burly builders in the same garden too, although TT is doing a good job of embarrassing me by being even more bellow-y than you would expect builders to be. She yells 'Oi! Builder! I'm TALKING to you!' at them regularly. They think she is hilarious.

fanny They still use bale twine for everything in Wales!

moo I am with you 100% of the way, I too felt happier and more at ease as he grows older - added to which, I felt more "me" when I went back to work. You sound so happy now and it's great to read! :) :)

PS How's he getting on with the other filthy children at creche?

JB went to pick up Bear last night because I went to the stables - all the babies were crying, with the exception of Bear who burst in to tears when he saw daddy.

Thanks honeymoo. I think she is a little young as you say. Really pleased to hear you sounding so happy, excellent stuff.

I think we're starting to see a change in sleeping patterns here. She never used to go down before 11pm before. Now three nights in a row she's gone to sleep before 10pm and two of those were at 9pm. Last night we only had one wake for the 3pm feed. She stirred at 6.15am but I ignored her on the grounds her eyes weren't open and it was way to early for the day to begin. Next thing I knew it was 8am.

And she was completely free of the miserable screaming last night despite a lack of naps in the afternoon. That was my favourite bit.

muse Sounds as though you're on the right path! :)

We are now mostly 7pm-6pm and it's fucking wonderful. It's fabulous to be "free" after 7pm. Of course it's not always so easy and sometimes he's grizzly and won't sleep until 8. Then there's the "dream feed" at 9pm - last night more dreamy than usual, he didn't even stir!

6am durrrrrrrr

Good work on the ignoring Muse. That is the key to cracking the night-time routine and it makes such a difference to have had a good block of sleep. S'pect your boobs are ready to explode though!!