December 2010 - 'I read the manual, she shouldn't be doing this just yet!'

[DuelingFanjo]

Tah-Dah! New thread, hope this is ok.

old thread here

So our babies are becoming more independent, saying more, eating more and bumping into stuff... Seems to have gone so quickly!

How are you all doing? How is it being back in work (some of you)? I have a month left before I go back and leaving Bob with my mum is getting harder rather than easier :( I want to spend more time with him not less, though I do understand that I have to let him go and get used to being with her. Not looking forward to the settling in at the nursery but hope by October it will all seem normal for both of us.

Hey all, great to hear about babies on the move.

Bob is standing confidently on his own and cruising but still no steps. When do I need to get him shoes?

He has 4 teeth and another two on the way, is very snotty all the time!

Chooster, he's completely settled now, goes in without a wimper most days and although he's happy to see me at 5.30 he doesn't cry now. He's stopped eating though! The nursery used to be able to give him stuff on a spoon and I would do a bit of that and a bit of BLW but now he refuses everything and just nibbles a bit of finger food. Hopefully it's just a stage he's going through. I am still breastfeedng so I leave milk with the nursery and go over at lunchtime to do a feed. He's ok with that but I would like him to take food a bit more seriously!

lavita I agree with chooster re bottles. I let DD carry on with a bottle at night time 'til she was at least 2. (I told the HV I'd stopped at 1yo though )

DF glad Bob's settled at nursery. I expect the food think is just a phase. If he's snotty through teething he might be finding it difficult to eat and breathe or he might have lost his appetite. FWIW I didn't bother getting shoes for DD until she was really walking and would be walking outside the home.

I'm thinking about applying for a new job. I'm not sure if it'd mean I'd have to go back to work a bit earlier than I intended (hopefully not!) if I got the job. I was with DH as when I mentioned it to him, he said it was a bit of a step backwards. It's more a sideways move but he's basing his comments entirely on money as, although it's the same pay band, I'd actully earn a bit less as I wouldn't be entitled to the London weighting which I get now. The big bonus for me if I got this job would be that I could drive to work and make all the childcare drop offs and pick ups so much less stressful for me. I pointed out to DH that money isn't everything as he bloody well knows and that this would make my life easier. But apparantly it's more important to him that I don't drop any income. What frustrates me is that I supported him when he made a drastic career change that meant his money was virtually cut in half.

He probably only said it because he's just been told that the final part of his training that he was supposed to start in Feb has been postponed by a rumoured 5 months and they've not confirmed new start dates for the training yet, even though they've confirmed that all their contracts are being extended to allow for the training to be completed. But still, for once I'd like to see him react to me the way I would to him. I'm always supportive of him and even when I think his plans or ideas are rubbish, I respond sensitively. He did take a massive step backwards in terms of his career when he changed jobs but I knew we had enough income to manage and I just wanted him to be happy. Seems the same rules don't apply for me. Grrrrr

Grrrrr!!!! Double standards are really annoying maxpower! I can totally appreciate why you're pissed off. It sounds like its a great move and anything that makes life less stressful is definately worth it. After all, if you get too stressed and find the child care arrangements too hard then you may end up feeling like doing something more drastic... Good luck with it!

Speaking of work I got a call today that my department is back on at risk of redundancy. For the second time in my mat leave I need to apply for the remaining jobs again. The only thing I can add since I last did it in november is a picture of Jude! .

Hey there all,

Sorry to hear your DH is being negative about the job max, hopefully he will be more supportive when he thinks about it a bit more.

chooster sorry to hear about the redundancy threat. We are having to make cuts where I work but no idea if my job is threatened. If anything it will be technology that gets me as I could easily be replaced by some wizzy new computer system.

I'm having a hell of a week and just trying to get through it by working and playing with Bob when I can. He's really settled now, I dropped him off in the Creche and he smiled this morning. I have 2 half days and a whole day off this week so plan to do lots of stuff with him, though I prefer to stay away from the house because DH is off work so he can play call of duty, which is a yearly thing and I do prefer it this way as he can get it all out of his sytem in one go ...but... now we have a baby it is a bit stressful being left to deal with him all on my own.

It will pass though.

I do feel a bit like I want to just get into my car and drive for miles and get away for a while but with a baby it's just impossible isn't it. This is my life now

max did you decide to go for the job in the end. A few times DH has wibbled about jobs I have applied for and it's so annoying when it makes sense in the long run, yes a little bit less in the pay packet, but it's all those little things that cost money as well, fuel, train costs and also the fact that you will be on hand much quicker than you used to be. Sometimes they blurt out their thoughts before processing it.

DF Glad to hear Bob is settling in now, I saw your biscuit thread and thoroughly agree that it's the point that they should ask if he's allowed them first. Bea will go for anyone with a biscuit at the moment. I thank my DH for that bad habit. When you are used to the daily support having it not there is a PITA, also annoying if it's his time out rather than yours. Like I say to DH it's not the fact that I want to go out on my own, but rather it would be nice to be offered a few hours quiet time at home to mooch about in my jammies, read my book and drink a hot cup of coffee.

Are you all busy planning their first birthday parties? We've gone with the low key family option of tea and cake in the afternoon.

We have her appointment in a weeks time at the Paediatrician about her weight. She's been a bugger the last two weeks and is refusing any form of solids [except the odd bit of banana] and mainly back on the boob or bottle. And she likes to nibble and look about and possibly have a play and then get back on task. It's too cold to have my norks out on tap and she really cries when I put them away. Hopefully her teeth will be through soon, only one at the moment, but they all seem to be pushing away now.

Thinking of renaming Bea to Manuel, she has now added Que? to her words. She has been Que?ing everyone at messy play and it was making me laugh

kellestar I went for the job - wish me luck as I have an interview on Thursday! lol at Manuel DH has just had a new set of rotas sent round which look much better than the one's he's done for the last 18mo or so and will mean I'll be able to be a bit more flexible with my working arrangements should I be lucky enough to get the job. I'm a bit worried that having been away from the office for so long I'll have forgotten how to sound like I know what I'm doing!

DF we visited my DSis yesterday and she started feeding Matty salt and vinegar crisps. Had to intervene and point out that they are covered in salt (obviously you wouldn't guess that from the name of the flavour )

drum roll please....Matty took his first steps yesterday! I really thought he'd have been walking months ago, but he saved it 'til now.

Matty is so strong and dexterous. He keeps opening the stair gate unless you lock it (it's designed to 'catch' even without locking it but he's worked out how to open it if it's only on the latch so to speak) so we keep finding him halfway up the stairs. He pulls the guards we have up around the TV & fire & other odd pieces of furniture out of the way. He opens and empties every cupboard in the kitchen. He opens every drawer he can reach in every bedroom and empties the contents. He climbs up on his brick trolley so he can reach higher to pull things off of the table (like DD's lunch the other day....). It makes tidying up an even more thankless task than normal! Last night I went up to check on him and discovered he'd got out of his grobag and was sleeping on top of it.

DD got a Millie doll from ELC a few years ago and it sits in a highchair in her bedroom. This evening, she turned it on (it coos and gurgles and giggles) Matty stood next to it absolutely enthralled. He was shouting 'Ba' at it (presumably baby) and putting his finger in its mouth (which he does with me a lot at the mo). It was funny to watch.

My SIL had her baby on Thursday . A little girl to go with her twin boys. We're off to visit them all tomorrow after school. She's my first niece (I have 4 nephews) and I'm really looking forward to meeting her.

good luck for tomorrow max and congratulations on your new shiny neice.

Paediatricians went well today, such a relief, it's been keeping me up at night worrying about her. She does have an umbilical hernia which the HV was telling us was rubbish, but they can't do anything about it, but we should keep an eye on it in case it ruptures, it should improve now that she is taking independant steps. Her weight is fine, weighed in at 6.8kg which is 15lbs which is spot on for her centile. Advised not to stop BF'ing, not to add extra butter into her food and she's completely fine. Just so relieved. DH came with us and so glad he was as he asked alot of questions I forgot about.

She's been buzzing all afternoon and so confident about taking her first steps, she just kamikaze dashes at you from whatever she was holding onto, you have to catch her before she crashes into something or plants her face in the floor. I just cannot believe how quickly she's learning.

DH has tomorrow of as well, he's planned on going to messy play with her to allow me some time alone. Problem is I'm planning all these tidying/cleaning things that I can't get done with her underfoot. Crocheting or Knitting is my only relaxation and I'd feel lazy wasting two hours doing that, I can easily pick up projects once she's asleep.

thanks kellestar - glad things went well at the paediatricians

I had the interview this afternoon and they rang this evening to offer me the job! Looks like there'll need to be a bit of negotiation around start date and working pattern, but they sounded very accommodating so fingers crossed it'll all get sorted out. Only downside is that I'll have tog o back to working 5 days a week, but I guess I'll just have to put up with that.

max well done are appropriate. It'll be worth it to do the pick up/drop off's and be home at a reasonable hour. The money will work out in the end as well. Great that they contacted you so quickly too.

Thanks kellestar . I was suprised to hear from them so quickly! DH was really pleased and is determined to do his bit to make it all work. He will be doing a Mon-Fri course for 12 weeks starting in October so I'm hoping I'll have wowed them enough by then that they'll let me drop one day a week so that we can cover childcare

Glad to hear he has come around max

DH put his back out on Saturday, doing nothing at all! I've really missed his help, I didn't notice all the little things he does, but it does feel like I'm looking after two baby's.

Bea has started to screech over everything and is really testingmy patience. Ir's a really grating shriek too. I am sure she threw an actual tantrum this afternoon, do not know what about but proper on floir lying down and crying, going gloopy in my arms, kickibg legs about. Let her be for a minute or two and she was back to her normal chirpy self.

So who is one first? lavita would that be your lovely girls?? Going to go and look at the stats thread!!

kellestar hope your DH's back is better

I can't believe how quiet this thread has been when all our LO's are having birthdays now!

Really annoyed with myself as I drove into another mum's car in the car park when dropping DD off at school this week. I 'fessed up to her and today she told me it's going to cost £150 to respray her bumper. Grr. I've never driven into another car before and I'm just so angry with myself. My car's scrtached and dented as well.

Have been out doing some panic buying for Christmas today as I discovered that Matty had a 1/3 of the number of presents that DD had. I'm also holding out on some stuff being delivered before Christmas which I hate.

We're having a little birthday tea on Monday for Matty. Can't believe it's a year already. Happy Birthday to all the other LO's on this thread!

max I'd recommend getting a second quote on that damage, had this once, I am sure they were mates with the garage and were charging unrealistically, but DH paid up before I raised it. My scratch wiped off with a baby wipe, there's would have too, I am sure of it.

I've done most of my christmas shopping now, though I was in a charity shop today and bought Bea a huge box of wooden cars, 50 in fact with some trees and houses etc for a tenner. She has lots of odds and ends I've bought, mostly second hand bits but in vgc. eBay and charity shops are my friend.

We had a birthday tea and cake for Bea on sunday, we invited our families and they all came, we couldn't fit them all in our tiny house, or find them somewhere to park along the lane. But it was lovely to see everyone and Bea coped very well with opening presents with everyone. She gave everyone big wet kisses on the lips and admits to adding a bit of tongue here and there. She is so lovely and I really can't believe where the time has gone.

I watched some video we had taken on the camera over the last year and it's really been lovely. Wish we had taken more, so I've been using some pinterest inspiration and now have a reminder on my fridge [and ipod] to take more video and some themes over the next 12 months, things like first words, favourite toys, first steps etc. I like the idea of a challenge like that, might inspire me to get on with it.

She took her first steps about without needing to be encouraged or caught. She walked about two metre's and paused after a few steps and then continued. We consider them to be her first official steps. So chuffed, she's been walking with encouragement for about a month but not without being tempted with biscuits or toys.

We have Christmas Day with my parents and Boxing Day with his parents, it should be quite chilled out really. My SiL is getting a bit pissy about it all, but it's because MiL told BiL [son] and he is unreliable as a man can get and didn't tell SiL until the weekend just gone, and she's planned to have Boxing Day with her family and Christmas Day at home. But she lives in a wing of their house, so they will come around anyhow as they usually do. MiL is really getting abuse from it all, when it's not exactly her fault.

Well I know it's been a while so shame on me. But I can't believe no one has been on here boasting about their LOs achievements now most of them are 1! Happy birthday all December 10 ( and early Jan 11) babies!

N despite being a big lump at birth has dropped quite far down the chart and seems to be aiming for a short but " sturdy" frame. She has big candid blue eyes with which she gets her own way. She closely resembles my MIL so it's just as well we get on! I must update her photos but I am rubbish about sorting out electrical things.

I thought she was going to be quite shy, and she still does bite her lower lip and wring her hands, but she is pretty resilient and copes with being bumped around with the others well. We did have a horrible accident where she fell onto some concrete and had to have stitches but she is ok now though she will have a little scar.it hasn't held her back, she is desperate to get out and about and climbs stairs recklessly and is starting to get more confident and cheeky with everyone she meets. We have had back arching, screechy tantrums, too.

Her development as been normal but she is in no hurry about it and has only recently cut teeth and tried standing on her own. Think it will be several weeks before she tries walking. Sheis quite chatty though and has a few distinct words.she loves her trolley and runs up and down the house with it and spends ages putting things in and out of it. She is getting an Ikea kitchen for Xmas and everyone else is getting her accessories to go with it- it will hopefully be something she can play with for many years.May be wasting our money though as she has already discovered the joys of sitting in a cardboard box as well as wanting all our grown up "toys" that she is not allowed.

I would love to hear how everyone s doing as you cn probably tell from the time f this I am still not getting a lot of sleep. Also realised this post has turned into a Round Robin much despised by Mumsnet so soz about that but Merry Christmas all the same , have a glass of bubbly and celebrate surviving the first year!

Hi franken glad to hear N is doing well. We aren't getting much sleep at the moment as Bea has still got a stinking cold and cough. She keeps waking herself up and is unable to settle down again. So out of character for her. She's especially cuddly and kissy.

I can't believe how busy she is. I've looked back at the calendar and all the notes I've made of firsts and silly things she's done. Getting all broody again :)

I've stupidly broken my toe [again] and it's a mess of purple and red and so very sore and swollen, but nothing they can do anything about. I managed to kick the back edge of an internal wooden door. It really flipping hurt, doesn't help that Bea keeps standing on it or I keep stubbing it rushing about.

We had a lovely Christmas, she was enthusiastically helping everyone open their presents, she kept everyone on their toes running around and skyhooking with people, best toy was a tea pot that sings songs and says please and thank you, but the songs are a little too chirpy, but at least it's not that Justin. She has so many toys we can't move in our little house, so I've been sending a few back to the grandparents so she has something to play with when visiting.

She's really chatty and shouty and can almost say chickens, sounds a bit more like chess but I know what she's on about. She's a strong minded miss, it's her way or her way :)

Jabs this month, hope she'll be as unfazed as she was with the last lot. We've also got the dietitian's to go through ideas on making sure Bea is getting the most from her food.

Great to hear from you kelle Glad Christmas was not too stressful! Sounds like you need all the energy you can get for your busy little Miss, mums are not allowed to be sick or have broken toes ya know! Hope you both get better soon. Makes it all worthwhile when they plant a wet smoochy kiss though.

I remember with my first I was a bit shell shocked and didn't really feel like a proper mum until he was about 8 m and hanging off my leg saying " mum" . I was so proud. There is nothing like all the firsts with your first baby. After swearing I was never doing it again I got really broody when he was 1 but it took us a few years before we could support another child. If you are TTC wishing you speedy success!

N goes to sleep in her own cot but wakes up around midnight she just comes in to our bed. She is still breastfed so wakes up for snacks quite often then I need a drink/bathroom and can't get to sleep. Fortunately DH get up and does the school run so I can have a bit of a lie in.

My older daughter is very petite, she was BF and enjoyed food, she just didn't eat much and I remember all the stress and worry it caused. She is still much smaller than her classmates but very feisty- she hasn't allowed anyone to baby her since she was about 6. It is hard to get clothes which are age appropriate that's about all. Hope the dietician can set your mind at ease, as speaking from experience it is not worth bringing any battles to the dinner table.

My sweetie has proved me wrong and took her first steps on her birthday while we were watching Sherlock Holmes! I now have a proper toddler who climbs everything and empties out and investigates everything, help!

sorry to hear about the broken toe kellestar! Nice to hear what your babies are up to. B is walking confidently now and now has a pair of shoes. I have been a bit worried about his eating but it is getting better and he's putting on weight so all the breastfeeding I do must be doing something. I am still co-sleeping and still feeding at night but I stopped going over to feed him in nursery in December. He's turning into a confident and cheery little chap.

sorry I have not been about, will probably be chaging my name and hope to come back to post a bit more soon.

Happy New Year everyone!

sorry to hear about your toe kellestar that sounds painful. I've seen the damage to the other car myself so I know it needs respraying, but thanks for the warning.

M is walking very confidently now and just loves to climb. His favourite game at the moment involves him climbing up onto a toddler sized wooden chair, standing up and clapping singing and dancing. He's got his first introduction session at nursery next week. I can't believe I'll be back at work in 5 weeks time (not that I'm complaining, as I know I've had a wonderfully long time off work).

We took some great video of DD feeding him yesterday - he was squealing with laughter at her. It's just one of those things that you can't help but smile at.

Hope everyone's well and looking forward to hearing from you all.

Hello everyone sorry I haven't been here for a while, work got really busy again late last year and I've got into the habit of only using my phone to MN and this thread fell off the threads I'm on so I had to hunt around for it!

Glad everyone seems ok although agree it does seem to have been quiet here.

Hugh is as mobile as ever, there's no stopping him at the moment. We have stair gates everywhere to try and keep him safe at the moment. he can now climb onto the furniture in the lounge but can't really get down so we are having to keep a really close eye. He is constant;y covered in bruises from toppling over and bumping into doors and walls - he clearly has my clumsy gene.

He has slowed down on his weight gain mainly because he is so tall now and so mobile, he's also got a bit fussy with food wanting to feed himself and at times refusing food if he can't do it. unfortunately he is still not really coordinated enough to get enough in to fill him up!

Waiting to find out next month if I have been promoted, I am due to change jobs again in the summer so depending on whether I have been promoted depends on where we will move to - there are 3 options on the table currently, one would mean we wouldn't have to move location just my job, one would be a move in the Uk and the other would be o/seas for a couple of years - guesss which one i'm hoping for

right promise I will try and stay on this thread now

Mrs S

Hello everyone, remember little old me from ante-natal?

Was just having a nose through topics and came across this, hope you don't mind me dropping in it's lovely to read about your LO's. I can't beleive they are one already!

Finn is lovely, so lovely in fact DC4 is due in April.

Hope to hear from you all soon.

congratulations notso that's lovely news.

Hello everyone!

I haven't been here in ages, hope you remember me.... Can't remember where I left off so not sure where to begin with the update. I can't believe DS is 13 months now. Where did that year go?

I started a new job in September, and it is very demanding and has consumed my every last drop of energy. I was made redundant from the lady job and was was bored to death so the new job which keep me very very busy is a bit of a culture shock - but a welcome one. I am much happier doing something I enjoy 10 hours a day than being paid to be bored 7 1/2 hours a day. My commute stinks. I get up up at 5:00 so I can leave the house by 6:00. But, i think the solution is probably moving so we'll conquer that task in the summer, I think.

Gosh breast feeding... Are people still doing that. Wow. My hat goes off to you. That ended in this house many months ago. And with two of them. You must have some serious knockers. :-)

I hope everyone is well. I have only read a few posts. Congrats, notso (but you are crazy)

Do you know I bloody hate apple spell checker? The lady job? God only knows what you all think I do. That was supposed to say the LAST job.