FEB 2010 Coming on in leaps and bounds and little steps

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Where did our babies go?!
Anywhere and everywhere, the moments our backs are turned!!

oh and some RL friends as well. I do have them (somewhere)

Are you going to be living back in Bristol, IC?

Have just caught up on reading for he first time in 4 pages I think. Jus wanted to send big hugs to LBH and PA.

Hi to ABs and Stan.

Glad the UTI is on its way out IC - I've been ignoring one for a few days and really must go and get it sorted but DS1 has UTI and DS2 has ear infection so have been with them and hen get too embarrassed to go to see he GP as well! At least they are ill in my half term so no missed work and conflict of interest.

On the other hand, we have ickets for Take That unexpecedly and lots of money has gone out for Olympic tickets which is exciting.

Development of my two terrors, following your recent updates:
DS1 has pulled the letter 'T' off the keyboard - you may see this in this post if they are missing from time to time!!
DS2 tried to climb the radiator and fell off backwards on his head, looking surprised!
DS2 now says: hello, bye bye, mummy, daddy, cat, car, coclat , grandpa, granny, no, yes, please, yes please (when really motivated), dinner, oof (for dog). No French or German here though!
DS1 has taken a liking to siting on DS2 - possibly the only way he can contain him - must be over 2 stone by now!
DS1's ribs have finally disappeared from view on his new gluten and dairy-free (not just lactose-free) diet. A massive relief that I can not begin to put ino words and so lovely to see. He is totally mental and learning how to channel his new energy. I am knackered as a result (and because DS2 has taken a liking to jumping in his cot with a muslin over his head, in a kind of Caspar the ghost on speed kind of way, between 4a.m and 6a.m WTF??! I feel I should be bloggin my crazy life?!

Sorry, that was longer than I expected once again! No time to proof read - just try inserting a 'T' if it doesn't make sense!! Note to self - keep DS1 away from the computer!!

Love to all unmentioned above.

Oh, and a mixture of 1 and 2 nap days at the mo - also seems to be moving towards 1 but not well so now back on 2.

bethy Glad to hear from you and that your DS1 is getting better with his new diet. at your little gost.

PA have you got somewhere to live when back?

scones do you have a flavour yet? (Sorry I'm too curious )

Hoping that BBB is fine, she's been quiet since the AIBU thread even on FB.

Bethy no name changing yet? Glad your DS1 is better.

SB I was wondering about BBB too. How was her DD's appointment and has her DH been tamed?

IC hope you are better.

soc Good luck for september 4 is young isn't it. DD1 is going to enter the "normal" UK system in september in year 2, she will have to catch up a bit (can't help but worry). But she was assessed and was ahead in math just behind in reading (of course she hasn't learn yet). She is making progress though and getting very good with the phonics, learnt just by playing.

The art exhibition was in a museum with diplomas and the curator giving comments to the artists individually. My mum think it is a great idea to get the kids to like museums and understand the process... not sure it doesn't produce overconfident kids.
Anyway, DD1's comments were strong and powerful paintings (curator was lost for words at how crap DD1 is at painting I think , well she is not crap but most of the other children had real talent). I liked her "flying poneys" .

All fine here, thanks! Back to business as usual (SWI) last night....

Bc the answer to that is yes!

Bethy yay for extra weight on DS1 and tickets for TT and the Olympics!

Interesting idea, the art exhibition Mous. Maybe your DD1 is more of an "expressionist" when it comes to painting

DD was up again last night, but this time I dosed her sharpish, which meant she went back to sleep quicker than the previous night. I dossed down in the bed in her room (because when she's in a fidgety mood, she yells when I try to creep out the room) - usually I sneak out when I wake up, but this time I slept on until DD decided it was getting up time at 06.30. Given what a light-sleeping insomniac I usually am, this is actually a good thing. According to DH, two nights ago I even slept through DD whimpering a bit over the baby monitor (she got herself back to sleep okay) when usually I'm awake the moment she audibly stirs. This is actually another good thing. My own sleep-training seems to be taking effect at last!!

Yes, BBB, how are things? Have you knocked your DH into shape?

Had one of those moments you just want to remember forever... Beautiful sunshine and both girls were in the garden, dd1 blowing bubbles for dd2 and dd2 squealing with delight and trying to chase them

Aw, that's lovely Soc!

dd2 seems to go through a growth spurt and likes to eat her body weight in food... How much are you all giving your LOs? dd2 had a cup of milk, a handful of cheerios (while I got her cereal ready - that child cannot wait!!) and 1 1/2 weetabix for breakfast (normally 1 but she wolfed down her normal portion and complained bitterly about me starving her). Usually she tries to get some toast off me, too. Then she had a bread stick and raisins before lunch because she couldn't possibly wait for her food to cool down. Then a huge portion of mashed potatos, carrots, and quorn pie (she had more than dd1!). We were out and about in the afternoon and she polished off large chunks of baguette while dd1 and I waited to be seen by our dentist for a check up. Followed by a good portion of cuscous with vegetables and pesto for dinner, and a mug of milk. Then she begged half a banana off dh (On a normal day she has more fruit and yoghurt but for some reason today she was craving starchy things and chucked her apple on the floor).

BBB hope you are okay. Was also thinking of you today. Loved the photo on FB of your dd1 having hot chocolate... She looks so much more grown up than my dd1 .

Mous I am quite sure your dd1 will do absolutely fine and good on you to keep her out of the system until year 2! I find it very strange to send my baby to school full time (8.45 to 3.15) at barely four years old because I didn't go until I was 6 1/2 and then it was only mornings, so plenty of time to just be a child in the afternoons. Can't say it has made a difference starting later, which is pretty much what all the research says. British children start very early but are no more advanced aged 7 or whatever than other European children.

IC Glad the UTI cleared up quickly. Also glad you are still in Spain because over here they would probably have told you to drink lots of water and see how you go .... (I'm all for reducing antibiotic use where futile eg sore throats=viral but I am also very very careful with UTIs because kidney infections are no fun!). Glad you are back in business

beth Glad to hear your ds1 is getting better but sorry to hear you all have more illness to cope with. Have you ever had funny attitudes from GPs etc? I think I have watched too much TV/read too much and always fear they mark me down as possible Munchhausen's by proxy when my two have one thing after another...

PA hope your review was/is okay. Keep repeating: only a few more weeks!!

bear not very exciting building work on our old house in the Midlands... we got a quote to have our original sash windows restored and painted (house was built in 1894 so they have done pretty well!). I am just hoping someone wants to rent a house where the lovely original windows are so thin that it sounds like people are walking past your bed at night - It's a corner house so people coming home from clubs and pubs at weekends walk past right outside.

sc DS will have a mini hot cross bun (I stocked up after Easter when they were half price and stored them in the freezer) then a bowl of cereals with milk and 1/2 toast. Then snack half way through the morning - some fruit or cheese and bread. Lunch will be proteins, carbs and veg with dessert. At 4pm 2 petits filoux and a biscuit. Dinner is at 5.45pm where he has some veg with pulses and a compote. He drinks water through the day and has a bottle of milk at bedtime.

I just had nice pampering bath and feel more relaxed now (busy week at work to get ready for our holidays)

Good night all

Last time I went to the GP in the UK, he said advice now use not to use ABs and just drink, next time see the nurse. Just four years previously everyone with a UTI was being referred for ultra sound scans (luckily it's a different suite to the pg one). I think they believe people go in for cystitis versus UTI, considering I only go in at the red wee stage I was rather when he wouldn't give me anything.

Our last blog gave a very good overview of a typical day of DDs diet.
Nowhere to live yet, rents are very expensive in Oxford. DH will spend a few weeks in a BnB while he looks and starts work.

Beth I?m also very happy to ear about your DS1

Review went well, had some results come through 2 hours before my talk so was making last minute changing. Had lots of good comments from various professors, should have asked for a job. Makes me realise I do enjoy my work, of y course my prof wasn?t happy but only 4 weeks

I?m meeting up with a MNer from Oregon on Sat as her family drive home :)

Going back to funny habbits, DD gives herself a might around of applause for climbing onto her chair or anything that she thinks is an achievement or novel . After getting dressed, she comes and gives me a kiss goodnight (with open mouth and either teeth or tongue before trotting off to the bedroom. Although today she got distracted and ran around the apartment 5 times instead.

I've had a few people say they want to speak to me in more detail tomorrow. I was really starting to feel like I hadn't been working well etc. and while I've not done as much as I would have done it I had been happier, it's reminded me I have done good (which I already know but a bit of ego brushing is always nice)

Glad to say dd2's appetite is more normal (for her) today. We always have a quite substantial hot lunch (partly because I was brought up that way and like it and partly because if I just have a sandwich at lunchtime I end up eating biscuits all afternoon...). Realised that I may be unusual because I cook three times a day at the moment: lunch for me and one or both girls (dd1 gets fantastic home cooked dinners at nursery), then dinner for the girls at 5.30, followed by dinner for dh and myself at 7.30. I'm hoping to have one family evening meal again soon at 6pm. I am really keen for us all to eat together but dd2 is still too young to wait that long esp as she is desperate to go to bed by 6.30.
Better go, dd1 is nagging me to fill the sandpit lid with water as a paddling pool...

soc are you friends and family OK?

mous so far. Bit worried about my parents because they are quite old (dad in his eighties) and would probably get very ill. Quite worrying that they have still not found the source.

PA DD does exactly the same. After a song a dance or kick of her ball, cue her applause! She also gives a kiss with wide open mouth. So funny.
She also when finished her meal will hand me the bowl or plate and say gone! Good girl! Then clap.

Waves to all. May be back later, Britains got talent on

All packed and car is loaded... Holidays here we come!!!!

sc I understand what you mean about the family meal in the evening, but ours will be in a while as DS goes to bed between 6 and 6.30pm and DH if on day shift finishes by 6.30pm.

Waves to all, I probably won't be on until back from France.

Give the and to my fellows Feb 10.

SB how exciting where in France are you off to? (Sorry if I've missed it upthread) Have fun!

I tried to post this morning but my laptop decided to shut down on me - now I've forgotten what everyone has writted

So pleased to hear that others' LOs give open-mouthed kisses too. I was getting paranoid that DD's efforts were due to her witnessing DH and I snogging

at Soc cooking hot meals three times a day. I find it enough of a chore providing DD's three meals a day, let alone actually cooking any of them! For dinner she has whatever we had the night before, or something I've previously frozen, so it is a hot meal just not cooked at that time. I seem to spend my life in the kitchen as it is!

I don't know if I'm starving her but she eats wayyyy less than those LOs of yours you've written about. About half as much in fact. I have been thinking I ought to give her more for breakfast, at the moment she has milk and a fairly sugary cereal (I feel bad bad bad about it but she likes it and will eat it at least) and is then refusing banana afterwards. Maybe I should offer some protein like cheese

scones I am trying not to stress out what DD eats or doesn't eat. Especially since she hasn't had dinner apart from yogurt for ages now and basically rejects anything that 'new' even if she's had it before

also scones the idea that you thought you were teaching DD bad kissing habbits made me It's a while yet before they get the control to kiss in a way that isn't a big wet open mess I believe.

good night (well good morning) all

Scones don't worry about how much your LO eats... Mine have always had huge appetites and it shows!! I put dd2 on the scales the other day and she appears to be 11.4 kg (that's 25 lbs btw). dd1 is also 98th centile both for height and weight. I got her a few pieces for her school uniform and had to buy age 6-7! (She's not yet 4!)

stone have a fantastic holiday!!!
IC happy packing... Brilliant news on the house you can rent. Must be a big weight off your mind

scones mine doesn't eat as much either. I try to get at least one portion of each food source in her per day (she would happily leave only on fruits, milk and bread)

I just walked all the way to the postbox and corner shop wearing one grey felt slipper and one blue sandal... I knew it would happen sooner rather than later! In my defence, they are both Birkenstocks so felt very similar on my feet, I have a head full of cold, and must have been somewhat distracted by my two little darlings... Well, okay, there is no excuse, I am going bonkers

Hello, sorry for not posting recently. I have been reading (on my phone, which is not great for posting) and thinking about you all, and have been very touched at the concern shown for me.

Things aren't great, it's safe to say. My mum had yet another op yesterday -at least we were there for this one, so could take some of the pressure off my sister. Not sure how successful it has been yet. My sister (who is an ed psych and specialises in early years) has expressed some concern over DD2's ankles and lower legs. I have posted some pics on FB and would appreciate some advice. I'm still waiting for the podiatry appt to come through. And DH and I simply aren't getting on. It's pretty awful at the moment, I'm spending a lot of time chewing the inside of my mouth in an effort to not cry.

But... my girls are lovely, and I'm very lucky.

Sorry for no personal repsonses or questions, but hugs to all x