December 2005 It really was like waiting for Christmas!!

[flutterbeedreaminofawhitexmas]

OK this is it I have started the thread in the vain hope that someone on the December antenatal thread will pop and come and join me, I have been waiting for over 3 weeks now and to be honest with you I think your all being a little selfish making me wait around on my own .

Can't believe I am the one starting this thread I'm not due till 18/12/05 yet by then George will be nearly 6 weeks old, I tell you what though I feel really really sorry for the last person to give birth from December as they will be dying to get onto this thread by then.

As sad as this may seem over the next few days (or weeks if you lot don't get popping) I'm going to post on this thread little messages so that when people start crossing over they have something to read, well that is what I intend to do anyway but whether George lets me do that is a totally different thing.
I shall deffo post my birth story on here I have waited so long to do it so expect that to appear in the next day or so.

So come on over ladies the grass really is greener on the other side.

HERES WISHING YOU MANY HAPPY NAPPIES [GRIN] [GRIN] [GRIN]

Hi guys.

Just wondering if any mummy's to girls on here would be interested in 2 x pink tots bots nappies - 1 used once, 1 never used, selling for £10 plus p&p ???

I just want rid to be honest, so if interested, send me a CAT or put a shout out for me on the october thread!

george - I don't want to speak to soon but........... we tried a dummy last night and it worked Lucas stirred when I put him down, so I shoved a dummy in his mouth and he happily went off to sleep! I'll let you know if it continues to work. Perhaps you could give it a try with Jake.

Hey Flutter i am here finally!!!!!!

Hi everyone! Just a quickie though, i have just spent an eternity posting on the birth anouncements, it turned into a bit of an epic i am afraid, but beter there than on here!

All ok with me litle Harri is doing so well at the moment, only lost 4 ozs from birth wieght so now 9lbs 1 oz.. shes such a star! I did send out an email with some pics, but for those whose emails i dont have there are some more up on my site;

www.peanutmonkey.co.uk

Hope to catch up with all the goings on in the next week or so, have we all popped now then ?????

Take care and i hope that everyone is ok and enjoying their wee bundles

J xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi all,
well yesterday turned into the day from hell. baby blues hit big style so spent the evening sobbing on DPs mums shoulder and then on DP all night.
I hit total exhaustion & felt such a failure feeding wise after the comment from the mw. Ended up with DP feeding Jake my expressed milk & then 3 formula feeds in order for me to get some rest as he decided me going barmy realy wasn't worth it. Brighter today & relieved as Jake will still feed from me directly, also managed to express 3 oz this morning. Oh it's tough going sometimes isn't it.
I think DP is keen for me to get more rest tonight but I am keen for Jake to have breast milk rather than formula so need to do some more expressing I think or at least get up for 1 feed.

Thank you for all your kind words, it really means a lot to me with having such a delicate night - hope everyone else is holding up a bit better.

SH, think I will try the dummy again tonight. Am currently trying a CD of nursery rhymes to get him to doze off - if it works in the day it may work at night too (& send both me & DP loopy )

Hope everyone is having a good day with their little bundles.
xx

Hi Jay,

So good to hear from you again, will pop over and read the birth announcement soon, sounds like I may need to get comfortable with a cuppa for it though

Glad to hear you and Harri are doing so well. I'm pretty sure we have all popped now but am still waiting for conformation.

The link to your pics aren't working, when you get 2 mins can you possibly e-mail me your pics - flutterbee at hotmail dot com

Anyone else with pics feel free to send me some to look at, babies are beautiful

bugger, re the link i will have to get DH on it, hes a whizz with coms.. will email pics directly!

George hun, big hugs to you. Youre not alone believe me, i know it feels like that some times but really its quite normal. I have been having feelings of failure and desparation, especiall when i have done everything i can think of and she STILL crys. I am assuming it normal, try and think of at least one positive in every day, that way no matter how many negatives there have been you can be comforted in the knowledge that there has been something good happening!

I havnt got round to expressing yet, and am totally feeding on demand. I thought about trying to get into a routine but then after chatting with MW i thought that i would be putting myself under too much pressure ( i know it must be diff if yoou have more than one child ) so now i have decided to chill out and do what i can. What i cant do wont hurt being left for a few days. As for making sure the Harri gets enough milk, as long as she is pooing and sleeping and i know i am eating enough, then that re assures me that shes getting enough. At the moment she can feed from 10 mins to an hour .... no routine there!
It all takes time and getting used to and at the end of the day babies are more resiliant than we think, she will let you know if shes not getting wnough of anything!

Hugs and positive vibes to anyone feeling a bit low. XXXX

george - so sorry to hear you've been feeling down. I really sympathise with how your feeling - especially over the feeding issues. I was so upset when we had to give Lucas formula because of his tounge tie. There is absolutly nothing wrong with giving him it and you should be really proud of yourself for persevering with the feeding, especially with expressing as I know how time consuming it can be.

Just remember that the way you are feeling right now is nothing more than a mixture of raging hormones and sleep deprevation! Every new mother has low days but you soon bounce back and it sounds like you have alot of support around you. I always feel better after a good cry or moan to someone

Just think - you have an added bonus that you know Jake will take a bottle now. So, if you want to treat yourself to an evening out with friends or maybe a facial or manicure your dh will be able to take the strain for a couple of hours without you having to worry!

I already have a spa day booked for the end of Feb so knowing Lucas will take a bottle is a massive bonus.

hello all. Hollow cheeked with exhaustion but Arianna is blooming bless her!
George I found the first weeks/months with Louis pure hell to be honest, I loathed the tiredness the constant feeding and crying, he was a really demanding baby and always seemed to be making a noise that would set your teeth on edge. I used to wonder how everyone else coped! It did get better though. I am lucky this time in that Arianna is an easier baby (plus I am more relaxed) but babies vary in their levels of demandingness if that's a word and it's no reflection on you - I can honestly say that, now, having had one challenging little bgr and one contented one (she's probably storing up a tempest for the teens tho)! Like sh says at least you know Jake can take a bottle which believe me is a huge plus, L was v reluctant and had to be spoon fed like a bird when he first started nursery. Horrendous. No one warns you about the levels of determination and apparent cussedness these little beings can possess! It WILL get easier, promise! meanwhile try to rest while you can, OK?
DQ isn't it fab to be able to run up stairs! I am shrinking back faster this time too I think. Raced L in the park today, he was quite shocked as he'd got used to winning ... Really painful twinges at first but everything does seem to be going back where it should, jeans are still a distant dream tho
I'm co sleeping and Arianna wears mostly what she drops off in I'm afraid, as do I ....
Speak soon take care all
Hope George and ALex fully recovered
and CONGRATS JAYS! any news of ei yet?

hey ladies
ninah, there you are! how lovely to hear from you. so glad youre doing okay. your dd sounds alot like mine, daisy is much easier than Mollie, but then again I am much more laid back and relaxed so maybe its me not her so much? hope ds is still enjoying having 'goldilocks' around? mollie is still doting on daisy,...this will certainly all change when daisy can steal toys tho!LOL
dh goes back to work int the morning, and i was pretty sad about that today........just when i get used to him under my feet!! hes been really good, and i shall miss him.
scully, our babies are two weeks old today! seems soooooooooooooooo young, and weirdly seems both like only yesterday we had them, and yet cant remember life before her! did you decide on a name yet BTW?
george, hang in there, all molehils become mountains when youre sleep deprived. get some good sleep and try all your feeding/routines/etc when youre much more together. dont let it get to the point of falling apart, remember jake would rather you were a happy mummy than anything else. hope tonights better. and i know i keep saying it, but its still such early days, hes not even two weeks yet, abit early to write him off as a nonsleeper....just sleep when you and he can, (who cares if its daytime when you do)and dont look into the future and assume it means he#ll be this unsettled at three months etc, because thats not the case. ((hugs)) to you and him (btw have you tried classical music/dreamy music as opposed to jaunty nursery rhymes which do indeed drive you mad.......LOL)
my computer has broken down fora few days so on laptop, and no acess to email -awful!!!
any news from ei yet?

Hello all,cant believe how long it feels since the last time i really had a chance to chat to you guys...Where does my time go???
I dont know if its any use but miram stoppard{sp}do an aromaphepy[sp] fan esp for newborns upwards...its brillent a friend brought it for jd and it works everytime,you get 3 different potions with it,look on boots website i am sure they do it...the fan is a white noise and jd loves the hoover,hairdryer etc.....
We all have our down days and it is NOTHING to be ashamed about........Men just dont understand the effects having a baby can have on us,god knows i dont even understand it...thoug i am still trying too....

Thanks everyone for all the baby cards/emails/xmas cards.....feel real lazy as didnt get round to post any of mine....mental note for next year

Can we find out now who brought whos secert stork????

How is everyone else coping?I am doing ok,real tired lately,havent really got a feeding routine just on demand thoug he is really gd and has 4 hours at least between feeds,and as long as he is putting on weight i am happy...
now for the questions........

Jd sometimes goes for days without pooing is this normal and what can i eat to help him more?
Everytime i open my bowels i split,is this normmal?I wasnt stiched and only had a 1st degree tear...I know it took me well over a yr to heal with dd but that was 2nd degree tear?Oh what should i do?
Also wear do you get time to fill in there baby books??With dd i did it every day,i dont want jack thinking i didnt love him as much as his sister.......
got a love you and leave you but will keep looking out for you guys,take care and keep these chins up xxxxx

well the dummy seems to have worked for a second night - I don't quite know myself this morning as I don't even feel tired

Ebbie, Lucas can go 2/3 days without having a poo - I think I read somwhere that it's common in breastfed babies. I'm also having slight problems when my bowels open. I only had a small graze but when I go to the loo it feels like I am tearing. I've been trying to eat more fruit to help things along. If it continues I will speak to the hv.

Ninah - so lovely to hear from you - have you decided to stick with Arianna and to hell with what your p thinks?????? Good on you

George, hope your feeling better today!

hi all
quick catch up

SH glad the dummy seems to be working I used dummies with both adam and hannah as they are both sucky babies. Hannah is actually worse than adam was and likes to suck herself to sleep.

ninah I absolutely love the name arianna its soo pretty. I actually mentioned it to dh last night but was met with a lot of eye rolling and sighs of no more kids..pmsl. Hope that P is still behaving himself and that louis has settled down.

DQ am glad that daisy settles better than molly did. I agree about bad sleepers and stress. With adam I was a lot more stressed and as you all know it is only when I was about 6mths pg that he finally started to sleep till a decent time. however hannah is complete opposite and settles quite well.

george hope jake sleeps for you and that you have managed to find somethign to help settle..do you swaddle him? another thing that can help is to put your dirty top in his basket maybe over the matress as it will smell of you.

hope everyone else is ok got a screaming little girl so will have to try and catch up again later!!!

Hi all, just an update really so i know ive read up to today!
Had a few bad nights here with Alex not sleeping but last night took its toll and after having her wide awake and crying from 11pm to 4am i lost it. Am not proud to say that and infact it hurts to admit that i was so close to thinking of hurting my little girl. Luckily i walked away and handed over control to DH and she eventually went off at 5.30am. HAve really scared myself though and Dh has phoned 3 times today and made me promise to ask health visitor for extra support. I have never felt so low in all my life. I cant beleieve that i can feel so bad especially as ive got what we have tried so hard and lost so much to get. I know i love my little angel but sometimes i am completely numb when i look at her. I really am terrified im going mad and someone will take her away from me. Please tell me im normal!

bonkerz completely normal hun. I do agree with S that you may need extra support as you do have depression on top of the normal hormonal/not sleeping. It is a really stressful time for you so please dont be hard on yourself. I have been sinking lower with thoughts but thats another story. Huge hugs to you hun.

Bonkerz what you are feeling is totally normal, I've felt it and it's nothing to be embarressed or ashamed about. Deffo speak with your HV if you are feeling over run with it all and you can always come on here and let loose.

I quit smoking yesterday (yes I know why didn't I do it whilst pg, well I cut down dramatically and I know if I had given up I would have started again and smoked more so it would have been worse) I'm feeling suprisingly OK about it I'm getting some cravings but mostly the patch seems to be doing its job. I have stayed in all day so that I can't be tempted to buy any and have kept myself really busy having a huge clean up. Wish me luck ladies

hey ladies!! just a quick one to say birth announcement is on here now and pics of my gorgeous little girl will be getting splashed about v soon!! will catch up with you all tomorrow!! luv to you all xx

Just read your birth story ei congrats and welcome Sian Zoe Victoria (Victoria is my name so I love it)

Ei, huge congratulations to you on the birth of Sian Zoe Victoria (Sian is one of my sisters names, and we were going to call Jake Zoe if he had been a girl so fantastic choices!! )

Looking forwards to reading you birth story and glad you have finally made it to the post natal thread.

Bonkerz, huge {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}} for you. It sounds like you need a good rest. I'm another one with a baby who isn't keen on sleeping and I reached breaking point on Saturday. Can you leave your DH with some bottles and get him to pack you off for an early night and let him take over for a night? It worked for me & I feel so much more in control again.
I hope you find some rest and feel better tomorrow. xx

MW came again today and weighed Jake. After her words of wisdom the other day (that I may not be producing enough milk) she shut up when she found he had put 3oz on in less than a week. So cross with her & I think DP nearly swung for her when she suggested that a copy of the new testament in the moses basket may help with sleeping. We weren't too gutted when she said it was her last visit.

Have expressed 6 oz today so DP is doing 2 feeds & I will take over later in the night. Have moved to swaddling again this evening & it seems to have worked for now - phew!!! Tried the dummy but he wakes whenever it falls out so not sure what we should do there.

I have my mum coming down tomorrow so may not be on for a couple of days but hope everyone is OK.

Well im living proof that sleep deprivation plays havoc with your emotions! Today im positively euphoric and feel i could take on the world! Obviously i dont expect this feeling to last and i also expect the fall to be dramatic too BUT still!! Was really mean to Alex from 4pm yesterday and didnt let her settle at all, Dh came home and bathed her and basically annoyed the hell out of her. We also fed small amounts every hour to help top her up and at 11pm she had a 4oz feed and went straight down in her cot! She slept till 3am, took a 4oz bottle and settled straight down again swaddled till 6.30am. I then gave her a 5 oz bottle and she is happy in her bouncer watching TV with her DS!!! Aim today is to feed small amounts more often in hopes she can take more during day to go longer at night! We will see. Dh and i have a deal that i will get up to feed but he will get up if she wont settle, this way i dont feel like a complete failure and DH thinks he is helping!
Am going to go out today to get a new hoover and will definatley talk to HV who is due at 12pm. Heres hoping she doesnt lock me up!

good lord.whered my life go ........

Hope that everyone is keeping well, if you are anytig like me then all is good albeit very tireing and somewhat draining.

I am pleased to hear that youre feeling a bit better bonkerz, its such an emotional rollercoaster at the moment, i thought i was such a strong person, someone that sweeps things to one side and didnt worry about hormones and ups and downs.....god how wrong can i be. I have cried every day i think, since coming out o hospital, and i dont even know why, i feel like i am not in control of my life and that i have been taken over by someting that i dont even know!! Dont get me wrong i have never known such a strong love bond that i have between me and Harri, its just that its all so new i guess and so demanding of me. DH has been great and is constantly telling me how wonderful i am and how much he loves me, hes taken care of all the domesics, from registring her to opening up a new ank account for her, to keeping the house tidy , and lots of other little things that seem to matter so much right now. Do these feelings last very long? anyone else feeling totally emotional and teary over nothing?
To top it all i have the worst sciatica pain, which was bought on by labour, its excruiating, and i mean it makes me cry at the thgouth of it, am taking votrol and paracetamol but it doesnt seem to help, any suggestions??
On a bit of a lighter note, Harri was weighed yesterday and has put on the 4 ozs that she lost and has put on another 4 ozs!!!!!1 shes such a greedy guts...still it gives me peace of mind to think that the breast feeding is doing the job!

Speaking of which, shes waking up and so will need some more food, will catch up soon. Thoughts to everyone at theis tiresome tme xxxxx

LEWIS IS HERE.....

Hello just popping on quick to post on birth anouncements - will have to catch up on thread later. Hope all is well and will have a good read soon.

hello all
hope your all ok.
I havent been feeling too hot lately as depression is starting to kick in again despite being on antidepressants already. so today my little sister decided to take me out for a treat and paid for me to have my hair cut. I havent had it done in over 2 yrs so really is a rare occurance for me..lol Must admit was nice to be pampered etc and she sat with the kids in the shop with me then we went for a walk around town and managed to pick up quite a few bargains. Ages since I have had any money to spend so to go out with £40 and come back with bag loads was super..lol Both kiddies of course came back spoilt too as adam had been given £30 of boots vouchers for xmas so he got a couple of toys and I bought hannah some clothes in their sale. Start back with psychologist tommorow which i am not looking forward to and also got hv in the afternoon.

Hope it wasnt me that killed the thread the other day! So horrid when noone posts for a few days and you are the last poster!!!
Well, the euphoria didnt last! As expected!! HV came yesterday and stayed for an hour and a half, i talked and cried and cried some more. She then decided that it would be a very good idea to contact the doctor on my behalf to ask for advice. Anyway after 3 phone calls from her today i am due at doctors in the morning to get a prescription for some pills which will help me cope better!! Alex has got a little better and i was relieved when HV weighed her as she has gone from 6lb 13oz to 7lb 11oz in just 7 days!!! Hope she is just making up for lost time rather than taking after her mum in the food department!
Am back driving even though i know i shouldnt technically BUT to be honest driving is easier than pushing the buggy thanks to power steering on the car!
Went to toddler group with Alex today and didnt see her for dust! She was spoilt rotten and it was nice to have a break and hear all the women tell me how adorable she is, did me some good anyways!
Ok, am off so hope this post finds you all well!
Maybe a new thread is in order now we have all had our babies! And what about the secret stork, can we find out now?

Aw, bonkerz! BIG (((HUGS))). I'm being treated for PND right now, too. Again. Last night was really, really bad. In fact the whole friggin' day was bad. But the drugs are working, it just takes a while.

I've been in contact w/a local charity that helps women w/PND - know them all from last time - and will be going to their coffee time on Friday morning. Really looking forward to it! The volunteers are all great. I can't wait till I can volunteer there and get to look after all the newborn babies whilst the mums have a break.

It's gonna be allright, hon.

Nemo, (((HUGS))) to you, too, hon.

Last night I almost started a thread: Everything I HATE about PND and Depression in General!