Feb 2010 - we're stroppy, sassy and splendid (and that's just the mums!)

[BigBadBear]

New thread!

Re the cot-bed, do you mean transforming the cot into bed? DS is in a cot-bed but still as a cot.

mous DS is not a big speaker too, he loves to speak but in his own language. At the moement, I am not too worry as I know he'll do it when ready (and won't shut up from that point) at your DD1 translating for you.

PA good news on dealing with the 2 with not too many issues. Can't advise on the soy issue as DS is not eating any, but I know that too much fruits can produce the same effect (that and an eczema rash)

scones enjoy the cleaner and take it easy.

I've starting making enquiries about pre-school to see if I can find a cheaper one than the nursey he's in... FX it will work.

Mous I wouldn't worry too much about your dd2. Sounds like your dd1 is articulate enough for both of them . As long as you are not worried about her hearing and she understands things I'd just let her get on with 'absorbing' languages

PA sounds like you are doing brilliantly . More pictures please so we can coo....

IC dd2 is very similar to your dd and is quite wary of children her age. She is also getting very aware of what is hers and is not so keen on sharing. I think it may well be a developmental stage [mental note to self to check very nice toddler book I have].

Scones I am in total awe of you that you had the foresight to book a cleaner for a few months! [Stamps foot, I want one too ] Keeping fingers and toes crossed you won't have to wait quite so long for dc2

Waving to everyone else... Wonder how Stan, Abs, LBH etc are doing...

Sounds like you did well, PA! I'm glad you managed to grab some shuteye and some cuddle time with your DD.

Yes, DD will often get more confident as the session goes on. I'm persevering with the groups as she isn't being phobic about going to them, just a bit clingy and wary. DD's another buggy-pushing fan...she'd do it the whole session if she could....

As I recall the soup I made was 1 onion softened in olive oil (can't remember if I added garlic - I may have done), then 1 diced butternut squash sweated for a few minutes, then a litre of bouillon (I use a low-salt variety and of course you can dilute it more than it suggests), a couple of generous handfuls of red lentils and a handful of quinoa to thicken. I probably threw in a few dried herbs (about a teaspoon or so) - take your pick. Provencale mix is usually nice, but it depends on personal taste. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for about 35-40 mins. Let it cool a little, then whizz until smooth. (By all means leave it a coarser texture if you and your LO prefer it that way, up to you).
Quantities are all approximate.
It's very versatile and would probably work well with carrot/potato added if you wanted to. Or indeed most other varieties of squash instead of butternut. A squeeze of lemon may also add depth to the flavour or you may find a little bit of grated fresh ginger and/or a sweet-ish spice mixture like Garam Masala would work well with the squash etc. instead of adding herbs.
Go mad!!

Lentils are ace, aren't they? I must try and get my DD to eat them more often....

Oops, X-posted!

BG what's your toddler book, out of interest?

That's great. Rough quantities are all I need to experiment as I've never made soup before (and I'm not one for following recipes)

DD is currently in a cot which will go to DS. The plan due to jarring feet in bars and since we're changing anyway is to set-up the cot bed we brought straight into the bed configuration. Also that way I figure she can't throw roo and dummy out. If she's on the floor she can get them herself for those nap fighting sessions. Although to be fair she's been pretty good lately. Most days we push through the 11am tiredness and make it a one nap day, which she seems to go straight off for.

I've got a load of pictures ready actually, just need to upload them.

another soup question, if you have left over roast veggies, can they be turned into soup?

Well, I'm camping in our bedroom with the laptop while DS2 finds any number of ingenious ways to escape from his bed (yes, cot bed, but now as a bed, due to the cold and needing a duvet, and the climbing out of the cot). He was very excited about it this afernoon but is now finding it highly amusing to climb out of the small gap by his bed (left by the bed guard not fitting all the way along), onto his change station, onto the floor, under the cot - which is currently blocking the door as I couldn't get the right stairgate today. Have taken some pictures to show you once I get down the stairs to the lead. Ah, now he's found his tys so had better go. Poor DS1 is in nursery tomorrow (after a blood test ) so is going to have a long day as he's still awake too, due to the excitement.

Well done for getting through today PA. Sorry I forgot to wish you luck yesterday. Some days will go really well and you will feel like you've conquered the world and other days you will be especially pleased to see DH at the end of the day (so you can put the rubbish out/wash up - anything to have 5 minutes off!). Today for me has been great - have bought all the bedding and even constructed the bed by the time DH came in!

Well done on the cleaner Scones.

Happy Diwali to BBB.

I'm working on the plan that her room will be devoid of anything other than her bed

PA left over roast veg are great in soup, you can follow IC recipe and use them instead of the squash. In our house a soup is made of veg (fresh, frozen, left over or the sad looking), stock, garlic (you can sweat onion too), tickening agent (pulses, potatoes -roasted,mashed..., quinoa...) and herbs or spices.

bethy good luck for tonight

the extra cooking time doesn't destroy the flavour too much then or do you simmer for less time? This is probably cooking 101

Just checked on dd2 and she was in her cot in her vest and nappy... Her new skill is to escape from her sleeping bag and evidently she can now take her sleep suit off, too. Hmm, and this from the girl who likes to be very warm. Unfortunately her skills don't extend to putting things back on or at least covering herself with her duvet or blanket...
She's staying in her cotbed for a good while by the way and luckily neither of mine have made any convincing attempt to climb out. There is no way I could cope with a toddler on the loose in the night . She can open her door by herself as well and I don't dare think what she might get up to. Having said that, once she has finished undressing and throwing all her soft toys out she usually sleeps through

on the sleep-throughs BG and at DD2 undressing! We have found DD minus her sleeping bag on two occasions, I'm hoping she won't make a habit of it as she's another one who likes to be warm.

How did the rest of the night in his bed go bethy?

PA if using precooked veg I'd simmer for less time, yes

I'm making spicy lentil soup for lunch today, my mum is coming for the day, hurrah. The bread is cooking in the breadmaker

After going down beautifully for her morning nap every day last week, DD is refusing it this week. I think it's probably time to move to one lunchtime nap but I wanted to keep them both going until I have newbaby, as I need two naps a day too!! I feel ok today though so I'll go and get her up in a bit, I can hear her chattering away.

Happy Diwali for yesterday BBB!

PA it sounds like you coped great with 2 It can be done!! Why do you have to be at library for 10.30 today?

SB good luck with finding a cheaper pre-school, if I recall your nursery is horrendously expensive.

well there is a rhyme time thing so that was going to be my get out the house activity. DD however woke early so we're on a two nap day. Was going to push through but she was practically begging to go to bed. It's nice out though so should get out later (hopefully before the predicted rain hits). DS is still a bit yellow so we need the daylight exposure.

DD has been showing an interest in BF, can't decide whether to let her try or not.

at your DD2 undressing capacities BG

scones will your DD stay quiet if watching tv (cbbies or dvd)? If yes even without her 2nd nap you may be able to get a break? If I lie on the floor next to DS mat and tell him I'm tired he will (most of the time) bring me cushions for my head and will play nicely in order to give me rest. Also well done on the brwad making, i've used my breadmaker at the weekend for the 1st time in month.

My mum is over for the weekend, so she'll be dealing with the clock changes.

Good night all, hopefully you'll get some sleep

PS reading fc status on FB it seems that she's pregnant

Now... the challenge is to remember who fc is on here and on fb... . I'm getting too old for remembering things...

Fc is flyingcloud. She is in the fb group

Ah yes silly me.

dd2 just had bees and spiders for breakfast!! That's what she was convinced of anyway and she wouldn't accept my explanation that it was normal (adult) musli

So it seems! Well spotted SB and congratulations to FC.

PA what have you decided re BF? I can't decide what I'll do if DD takes an interest. Being so knackered right now, I'm not sure I can face tandem feeding, although I was all for it when I was first pg.

It's a two-nap day!!! The only thing is I'm going to have to wake her in a bit to go to a group, I'm meeting other mums and toddlers there so I really want to go. Also it would be good to actually leave the house today And do something other than sleep or veg out.

I'm just going to see how it goes. My DM is here Mon for two weeks and she's only wanted a go when I've been on my own in my PJs or in bed.

DD got up today at 10!!!!. I think she was awake on and off from 8am. Meant I felt human by the time we got up (sleep is on short supply, but he's gained 9oz in 4 days so have something to show for it). I think she might be due a growth spurt.

4 days in and there was no poo yesterday and it looks like it had gone in the opposite direction to runny today (despite the prunes we've been giving her). Maybe the solution is a yogurt once or twice a week. Need to get some juice in for her.

sorry that first sentence was to scones about DD and BF

IC the toddler book I mentioned is Tanya Byron 'Your toddler'. No idea how it compares to other books - I seem to have plenty on the baby stage but only this one on toddlers and I bought it because I like the pictures . You are welcome to borrow it if you want to have a look

mous this book says that by the end of months 22-23 toddlers will be able to use at least 6 words and understand about 50. Obviously some children are far more advanced (like your own dd1) at this age, but this is still normal development, so I think you have nothing to worry about with your dd2.

As for development, I think my dd2 is a little short... , at least compared to dd1 at this age and also compared to myself (I will only admit to being 5'10 (and an inch or two more....) )

dd2 has a thing for slightly older boys . She made a beeline for my friend's 3 year old who told her pretty much to get lost... [hsad]. Not deterred she tried again yesterday and made friends with another friend's 4 year old and beamed when he was very kind to her and played with her (he has a sister of the same age -who dd2 was wary of ). It's very cute to see her social skills develop although she doesn't yet know quite what to do with children her own age

We have friends with a DD 2 months older than DS and it is quite funny to see them growing up together and interacting. Last Sunday, DS was very pleased (shouting) when she and her parents came at the pub. She tried to kiss him (he wasn't impressed) and then they were runnig around, trying to catch each others.

scones great news on the sleep.

Anyone keen on soup recipes, there's a discussion of the day thread on them... [hsmile]

here