April 2011; springtime arrivals - blackbird, song thrush, mistle thrush, nipple thrush, nappy thrush...

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

Here we are, our new thread and this time we all have our babies !

I thought we were getting thrush again, but then realised I had let ds's latch get sloppy. He was constantly clicking and tutting at the breast but I was too distracted to notice.

Ds and I made butterfly cakes together this morning, ds got to choose the colour of the buttercream icing ..... It is a very lurid shade of pink and they are covered in sugar strands. You can never have enough sugar!

We haven't dtd yet, too bloody knackered!!

Lis - PMSL at your spellchecker And yes, you are right and your Mum is wrong. The longest DS1 ever went was 1 week - OMG it was huuuuge when it eventually arrived!

Petal - DH had a day off yesterday and it was like having 3 children. I almost sent him to work I was so annoyed with him.

Don't get me started on poo... M likes to go little and often, usually with 2 large poos a day. But there's always a few little smears in his nappy. There's a nice image for you

IKWYM about DH being an extra child! Weekdays are much simpler in many ways, weekends mess up whatever semblance of a routine we've got into.

Speaking of the man where is he?! He promised I could go to the gym and class starts in 35mins.

We have dtd once a couple of weeks ago. It was fine, although I'd say to those who haven't yet to make sure you have lube to hand. I'd be up for more action but DH is sleeping on the sofabed, his choice really, not mine although I'm getting used to the lack of snoring and worrying that we'll never be able to share a bed again. Now I understand how some couples can end up sleeping in seperate bedrooms.

We didn't use any protection but I was thinking that if you ebf your baby and they still wake through the night to feed then you've got less than 2% chance of conceiving in the first 6mths. Did I dream this figure up? Should I be worrying? Not sure what to use as hormone-based things do not suit at all.

Oh and hashish dad, lol! That's one of my fave typos now Lis! And S only poos once every few days too. It's brilliant as DS was a right little poo machine! The novelty factor means that DH changes most of her poos if he's home as well. Love it.

caramel - you are right about the 2%. Once you regularly have a gap of 6 hours or more between breastfeeds then you lose the protection.
Can you get earplugs? I've taken to wearing them. I still hear DS2 if he wakes and cries for food, but I can't hear the grunting and snuffling or DH's snoring/breathing/puffing etc. I have slept so well the last few nights it is unbelievable.

In an ideal (and very well-funded!) world, we would have separate bedrooms I think. And would visit each other There are some nights when I just want the bed to myself, and I am a terrible duvet stealer/hogger.

I'm sure T throws up most when I have put something new on him, I think ooh I'll put this cute little outfit on today and within minutes it needs changing.

I think I am most likely coming down with something cos I feel seriously rough this afternoon, much more likely than my paranoid ideas of somehow being pg lol.

I was snoozing on the sofa and DS1 woke me up putting a blanket on me, I couldn't get back to sleep but I couldn't be mad at him. Think I'll have a and see if that gives me a boost, might even go the whole hog and have a

You definitely deserve that stuffed. Your DS sounds very cute.

My personal trainer has tips for us. He was taking the (theoretically nice, gentle) class tonight and now I'm in pain! However if anyone wants to get their transverse abs back: 10 minutes per day in the plank position (straight legs or knees down) 30s relaxed, 30s contracted building up in 5s intervals plus 5mins lateral plank on either side either knees posed, 1 leg straight or both legs straight. Once the transverse abs are back then we can work on other muscles. Apparently I have a week to improve. Sadist.

Maybe I'll delay DTD until I look better...

10 minutes in plank?! I can hardly do 10 seconds

Even with knees down? I can do half the time straight legged and then I need to put my knees down for a minute or two, then I can straighten again.

The more you try, the more you succeed.

There's not much hope for me - I don't even know what the plank position is!

Not got high hopes for tonight. I've got a very screamy baby on my hands and nothing seems to be settling her. She didn't sleep particularly well last night, so I'm knackered. I could really do with her settling tonight. I'm desperately trying to feed her to sleep but even that isn't working.

Argh, it's Friday night...I really need a drink!

Me + exercise? does not compute

(also not really sure what plank is either)

The physio did say to me 2 things:

• really really do your pelvic floors (both quick & slow types)
• strengthen your core by pulling your belly button towards your spine and holding (building up to 10 seconds x 10).

Those i can manage, well in small amounts so far anyway.

DD has had 2 nights of just 1 feed overnight which is fab.
Then this afternoon she crashed out for over 2 hours , then fed, bath, fed & to bed. Who knows if she'll sleep well after that marathon nap.

So how much help do you get from your DP/H's?? Do you think IABU to be pissed off that I can hear DP's snoring through the ceiling while I am up with G?? He mutters sometimes about helping at night and giving me a chance to get some sleep but tonight is a prime opportunity and where is he??? I try to make sure he gets proper sleep in the week as he has to get up for work. G rarely goes to sleep before 2.00 then wakes every 2-3 hrs for a feed that takes an hour so i'm not really getting much sleep.. and could do with an opportunity to get an extra couple of hours!

Moley I feel your pain! My dh has just come home after a night out. Apparently he'd had a hard week at work and needed a night out, errrr what about me looking after L single handedly all week?!!!! They really don't have a clue how much work is involved in looking after a baby. I think one day we should all just go on strike and let them cope, they'd soon be grovelling for forgiveness about how stupid they've been

Love the idea of a strike. I had a bit of a meltdown earlier, when F wouldn't go () to sleep. I'd just had enough of the unendingness of it all. I tagged DH in, but realised that I still couldn't properly relax. I don't know how I'm going to get to September without going mental (max respect to SAHMs, I couldn't do this forever).

Anywho, I've booked DH in to take full responsibility by himself for a day next month so I can meet my new yr7s. I'm looking forward to a 'day off' and hoping he gets a fresh perspective of what I do all day (although he won't have already done 3 months in a new town with bad weather, no car & no money. But it's a start!).

Hi everyone. Just checking in. Hugs to those of you who need them. Grrr at useless DH's.
Nothing much to report here. Went to a breastfeeding cafe thurs re expressing. Can't decide if I can be bothered with the faff. I only have two events planned where I am away from S. One is a spa 3 mins from my house so I could pop back to feed him and the other is a wedding s isn't invited too as they said no to other close friends. They said if babysitting was an issue to talk to them but feeding is the issue. I could ask the PIL to bring him to me as it's about half hour away but seems a bit of an ask. Tempted to come and go again.

I am feeding s as I type, he's taken to choking while feeding sometimes and it scares the crap out of me!

Moley - i hope he's upnow and you're back in bed? It isn't 'helping', it is called being a parent.
DH has always got up in the night with both our boys, and is normally in charge on a weekend morning so that I can have a lie in.
Does he even try and settle G at night? DH has much more success than me because there is mo milk for T to smell.

And this afternoon, feed G then point your DH in the direction of the nappies and tell him you are off to bed. Dad's need to learn their own methods of settling and caring for their kids, otherwise it will always be you that is responsible for DC's while he carries on as normal. L

Well DP did offer to get him back to sleep this morning but he needed feeding. I don't mind doing the nights in the week as G sleeps well in the mornings so we can go back to bed. Anyway I am off to the hairdresser this afternoon! The first time I've left G for any length of time! Mainly I hope they have a lovely time.. Small part hopes it's not too easy!

And Ali assuming all is harmonious I'm off to bed when I get back. Have calculated that my breasts will not be needed for nine hours :)

Good luck MTM, I found it was actually easier than I thought the first time I left H for a bit. Having some me-time was bliss.

Hmmm, am contemplating shaving my legs this morning, crazy I know...

Had a mega sleep last night 10.45-5, then back in his cot for 6-7.30!!!

What a little star. DP is working today again, I know he's all for his father and provider role but I hate that he works every day. And why do clients think it's ok to phone him at 8pm? He's a tradesman, not a slave. At least DP has started to turn his ringer off past 7 and just deal with the queries in the morning.

Am taking H to a local carnival thing with MIL today , apparently there's a Bonnie baby competition...

DH is pretty good. I was struggling to get P back to sleep after her 4am feed this morning so he took her off me. Although I have to get up to feed her, he'll will always get up to settle her if I'm having no success. I feel bad getting him up in the week but have no qualms at the weekend!

I agree with Ali - he tends to have more success than me at getting her to sleep. He takes her into the living room and watches rubbish telly on mute with subtitles until she falls asleep!

She was up again at 6.15 though. I couldn't bear it. DH was to the rescue though. He whisked her out the bedroom and when I got up at 7 (I never thought I'd consider 7am a lie in!), they were grinning away on the playmat. She was hardly even interested in a feed. She's going to be a daddy's girl I think!

Pouring down here. I fear it's not going to be the most exciting of weekends...

Well I'm in the hairdressers with a coffee and a magazine.. Bliss! I'm resisting the urge to check on things at home - if I hear crying it will only stress me out!!

It is lovely to have a bit of space actually. I'm thinking about a quick look for summer clothes before I go home but may be pushing my luck!

Moley enjoy yourself and take your time. Your dh will be fine.

Lis We saw him in Dundee but I think he's in Aberdeen tonight? You'd probably get tickets no problem as we just booked ours on the day. It was hilarious.

Petal Love the video!!

Much like Ali says, dh is just as much a parent as I am, so when we are both at home with the kids it' 50/50. If you don't want to be stuck in the trap of being the only one who can settle, comfort and soothe your dc, you have to ensure your dp gets involved - and the sooner the better. Breastfeeding is only one part of parenting so it's not a reason for the dp's to not get involved.

If you can, make your dp involved in the daily routine. For example dh has always bathed the boys ie he actually is in the bath with them. This puts them in sole charge of your dc and they are caring for them as well. It gives you 15 minutes alone time and it let's your dp find their own way of caring for your dc without you hovering.

I feel your pain cycle. Dh is a self employed tradesman and gets calls at all times of the day and night. My biggest bugbear are customers who call on a weekend with stupidly inane questions. He doesnt do call out work but you would think he does with the amount of calls we receive at the weekends and on bank holidays.

You've got me on a roll now. We were on holiday and dh insisted on having his phone on him at all times. We were having a lovely meal together on the banks of the Nile and his phones rings. Stupidly he answers and it is a customer. He tells the customer that he is actually on holiday in Egypt at the moment, however the customer didn't take the hint and carried on talking about something or other that dh couldn't do anything about anyway. I was bloody furious at dh for taking the call and at the customer. I've sort of reconciled myself to it now, but it still right royally pisses me off at times.

Hope you had a nice time molly, I'm in dire need of a cut.

Resist the urge to check Moley, he'll call if there's a problem and he has to learn sometime.

I've had the holiday calls ILTMIMI, why are people so thick?! It's now just before 5pm and DP has only just got home but is still doing computer and email follow ups. Grrrrrrrrr.

His father's day pressie is here though, may give it to him today to cheer him up :@)