Nov 05 Babies - They're ALL here!

[Rodeo]

Here we go, was going to write something lovely and meaningful, but I'm not very good at it so I'll leave that to someone else.....

argh..she just called, was browsing shops in covent garden as she thought i'd be in the centre anyway..
now shes really annoyed as she is meeting her friend for a train to brighton at eight and won't get to see us for long even if i do sert off immediatley.
argh argh argh
i'm not going but feel so so bad!

Hi guys,

BoB - the woman's a nightmare! Have emailed you btw, am on 4 tomorrow.....

GTG, E is trying to launch herself off my lap!

Just popping in..

Diege - I had a dream that I was breastfeeding sat at a bus stop, only i was b/f a fully grown man!! Replied to shocked/intrigued onlookers by saying 'You wouldn't find it strange if it was a baby, so what's the big difference!'

Beksmum - I love the poem!!

FWIW I have no routine with DS. All I know is that he's been sleeping through the night for a while now so what we do in the day/evening must work for him.

Have a good weekend everyone.

The only reason I suggest that Sam may be ready for an earlier bedtime is because Enthusia says he's grizzly after 6pm. IMO (FWIW) there are some options, it seems that there is a long time between the bedtime 'routine' (bath, bottle, dim lighting) and the actual going to bed, so...
1 - put him to bed after the bath, bottle at 6pm
2- don't start the bedtime routine until later
3 - put him down for a nap between 6 and 9
For me, the time I get to spend with DH baby free is worth more than having a grizzly awake baby. DH does only get to spend 30mins with her when he gets home from work, but he does her last feed and has started getting up earlier (which was totally unheard of pre-baby!!) so that he can spend time with her in the morning before work (and gives me a chance to have a shower and get dressed). It's also a good habit to get into for when you want babysitters as the baby is already in bed for when you want to go out. In total she's in bed for 12 hours and only wakes for a feed twice, which takes 10 mins tops before she gos back to sleep again. Well, this is what works for me anyway - different strokes for different folks

BoB - it's always a bugger when two things fall on the same day isn't it? I have the chance of doing some other Surestart classes but they happen on the same day as some other ones we go to, and I don't want to overload poor Natalie with a hectic social diary.

Swimming was great again. I stayed around after today to feed Natalie before going home and got to chatting with one of the other mums so it was a good thing to do. There was a mum there from the yoga class who's thinking of joining the swim class, but I've only seen her twice so wasn't too sure whether to go and say hi. In the end I didn't. but now she might think me really rude. Oh well, I'll bring it up on tuesday...

Fab routine Nova! I bet your dh has great time with her in the morn, babies (and children!) are always lovely in the morning. And I have agree, it is lovely having them in bed nice and early. Although it's only started working like this for us, her bedtime's slowly come forward (from about 1 in the early days to about 7.30-8 now)

Enthusia, Jess was just like you described screaming during our teatime and only dropping off over my (nobody else's grrrr) shoulder but she's grown out of it now (at about 13ish weeks) and is a lot easier. Maybe Sam will be the same? Nova is the font of knowledge on routines and bedtimes though so I'd try some of her idea's first maybe Would be FAB if you could come over to Meadowhall BTW

LOL at the vivid dream's Chacha & Diege! Chacha have you been reading that thread again?! Diege, was I Roy Cropper??!! Come on, be honest!!

I've got a stinky cold at the mo, dd's been off school with it too today. Jess has just got over hers, hope it was the same strain

Aw, like the poem Beks When is your naming ceremony? Our children aren't baptised, I'm Catholic and dp is atheist and me and the children go to a C of E church on our road so it's a bit of a muddle!

My mum's researching her family tree at the moment which I find really interesting. She's got back to a great great grandfather born in 1830 he had a 2 year old in the 1901 census he would have been 71!! She's finding it really difficult though as they're Irish records and are filled in by priests who weren't to particular with details! My grandad has 2 birth certificates, one gives him a birthday of 23 Oct 1922 and another a birthday of 23 Sept 1923!! He's not sure himself which one (if any) is right!

Right now I've bored you with my family history I'll get off! Byyeeee x

Bob your mil really is a nightmare isn't she, she obviously thinks you're still fancy free and forgets that we have to prepare ourselves half a day in advance just to get to the corner shop
If you'd like the info on a Naming Cermeony just let me know & I'll post it to you or perhaps we could meet up one Monday ot Wednesday for a coffee while Ben is at school.

Chacha you've been watching too much Little Britain {smile]

Rodeo we're having the Naming Ceremony on 29th April which is the first Bank Holiday weekend so that Dh's family can come down from Wales and haven't got to rush back. We had a ceremony for Ben too as I'm supposedly C of E and dh is an atheist, who definitely doesn't do churches they seem to bring him out in a cold sweat!!!
It's really just an excuse to wet the baby's head with all our friends and family in one place but if you'd like the info on it, I'd be happy to stick a copy of everything in the post to you.

Love the family tree bit, my uncle was contacted recently by someone with the same family name which is pretty obscure and it turns out that his grandad was a bit of a lad and had at least two names, possibly two wives and quite a few kids - I'd love to trace our family tree back & dh's if I ever get the time.

Sympathies on the cold front Ben gave it to everyone hear too, Thomas looks absolutely gobsmacked every time he sneezes and looks around to see what happened!!!

Right best go as was only supposed to bepopping upstairs to go to the bathroom Hope you are all well Beks

Londoner, thanks for the complimetns on the kids and yep that little angel really does have 666 on the back of his head, they tried to pass it off as a stork bite !!!

By the way I'm hugely of you and BoB going to the cinema tomorrow, can you arrange a date for coffee when I can come too - i like to invite my self Have a good time you two and hope you get peaceful babies!

Interesting stuff Rodeo. I'd love to do a family tree. Were you talking about the b/f thread? Believe it or not I'm trying to spend less time on MN now, the day seems to run through my fingers and once I log on here that's it!! Will have a look .. quickly

Oh Nova - Hope you don't think I was questioning/making comments on your advice, on the contrary, was wondering if I myself should be trying to establish a routine after reading so many posts on the subject. I still seem to be sort of 'go with the flow' (Em..perhaps I'm getting the wrong end of the stick here ..I'm tired and I seem to be taking everyone and everything out of context these days) Don't mind me ... It seems to be my newfound talent as of late!

Must be way past my bedtime [yeah, I wish]
Nighty Night x

Cross posts Beks...

So forgot to mention that I have a look at the pics and they are just lovely Ben is absolutely gorgeous and little T is just edible! Your pic is nice too. I guess the man behind the wheel is your other half? Otherwise you have a passion for machinery that you wanted to share with us...

Like you was only 'pooping upstairs' but I've been v.good today..can I keep it up though?

Oh and BoB.. glad all is well with you now. I do forgot to write individual replies at times. Sorry for belated blah blahs x

Em..was not pooping upstairs

POPPING!!!!

OMG Rodeo, how did you guess you were 'the man!' Have I uncovered your dark secret? - there will be no hiding in the Meadowhall . LOL Chacha at breastfeeding dream ; reminds of of forthcoming breastfeeding programme on channel 4, and article I read in Now magazine today about woman on it who breast fed her daughters till 8/9 years (and granted the 9 year old a birthday wish of 'suckling on mummy's booby' !!!!EEEEWWWWWWW!!!!
BOB: bet you are fuming over MIL; felt angry reading about her! You must be strong and stick to your guns, and let her do the running around. Bloomin' cheek!!
I'm with Nova on the routine front too, though know frinds who have no routine and whose babies sleep through regardless of what they do in the day. As is usually the case, whatever works best for you! .
Hope you are feeling better soon RODEO. Doesn;t help when you feel worn out anyway! Also,LONDONER that your children are giving you a day off on the sickness front! Agree that there are times when the illnesses seem neverending (it was always the dreaded conjunctivitus with us!).
Nighty night everyone, and here's to some sweeter dreams!
Diege and Liberty

BEKs, definitely coffee soon, yes...... looks like nova and BoB might come too.... nova, tis easy.... tube to London Bridge and then 15 mins on the overground to Greenwich or Blackheath..ChaCha - I'm with you on trying to wean myself off too much MN , try to do all my household jobs first......... doesn't always work though.
Night........zzzzzzzzzzzz

Cross-posted Diege, thanks

............... we're a bit like the Waltons tonight aren't we........... Good night Diege........ night Londoner......... night ChaCha etc...........lol

zzzzzz

Chacha - I don't get much time to post during the day as Natalie seems to sense that I'm about to go on MN and usually starts to holler! Once she's in bed I can come on and explain my short daytime posts - thats all it was.

I suppose thats the problem sometimes with writing to each other - things can get mis-read, and also people can be a bit more outrageous with the things they write as it's not face to face.

Nighty night everybody xx

Morning all

Sam has a nasty cold that devleoped over night so woke at 5 and I found myself bf for comfort in our bed. Haven't done that for a while. It worked though, gave his bottle at 6 and he has gone back down.

I feel crap today, too much to do, too little time plus I have this cold too arrgghhh.

Swing worked last night for about an hour!!!! Was very impressed. The reason our routine is as it is, is that my dh does not get back from work until 7-9 and leaves for work at about 6, so if I did do the routine earlier Dh would not spend any time with Sam during the week at all. Plus he usually does bath, when he's in, so that I can prepare dinner.

Our evening routine is;

6pm feed
6.30pm naked kickaround and story
7.15 pm bath, massage, dress
8.00pm our dinner - his nap (swing)
9pm last feed

Don't always stick to those times exactly but always that order - I don't manically timewatch or have a kitchen timer going!!!

I think it will get better, just hard eating with one hand all the time!

Right must get on lots to do. My Mum is over from Spain today for an exhibition in London tmrw. She is bringing a friend who is also staying so have to; finish cleaning house, fuel car, get money out for her, make bottles etc all before 12 when I need to feed, then pick them up from airport at one, then have lunch, do shopping with them and get home all before 4.30, then I have to get ready to go out as it is DH's works do tonight so we are leaving Sam for the first time in the evening with Mum, then I have to get ready to leave for 5-5.30 oh and explain Sam's routine at somepoint to Mum. Just had to share that with someone as DH does not think this is a lot to do in one day (oh with Sam of course) and is wondering why I feel snowed under, please say I am not being a wimp saying this is a lot to do!!!!!!

Right really must go

Morning,

Enthusia.. feel literally sick reading your post and felt compelled to reply straight away, please try and look after yourself too, can not imagine getting all of that done in a week never mind a day. Could your mum get a taxi from the airport? Explain to her the situation? Or if not that is there something else on the list that could go? You must be one amazing woman is all I can say, think I would have had a MASSIVE tantrum by now if I was you

Morning! Oh Enthusia I feel tired just reading what you have to do today - and with a cold too (makes everything seem 100 times more effort)!! I thought I had it bad with friend arriving any minute/trains to negotiate etc today, but will feel better knowing you have it worse .
Speak later on , better get dressed now!
Diege .

oooh, crossed posts again Londoner!! I can confirm that Enthusia is amazing,; one of those women that could run the country!
Byeee!

novadandypowder, sounds like you're having the same problem. I tried the Milumil but all it did was extend the time between feeds by an hour at most and really didn't seem to be doing that much. The hv also told me that it doesn't contain certain elements that are found in other formula milks that are helpful for brain and eye development so I was keen to not keep her on it for very long. The plan was to use it just for a few weeks to delay weaning. Well, I gave in and started weaning and she's now back on Cow and Gate hungry baby. She went off baby rice but is happy with a few teaspoons of pureed sweet potato at tea time. HV also said it's not great for a baby's kidneys to be taking too much milk on board. Ruby was sometimes taking a good 20ozs during the night as well as normal daytime feeding. She said you really have to weigh up the pros and cons of early weaning vs too much formula. I know it's hard as every baby is so different and I do know Milumil has worked for some. Sorry I couldn't be of more help and good luck

I feel really yuk today, cold is worse, my nose is dripping! Urgh! Just been down to Chemist to get some Lemsip Max, I'm supposed to be at work tonight, really don't want to ring in sick on my 2nd night back!

And Jess woke has reverted back to waking every 3 hours at night after a couple of weeks going 6-8 hours. Hope she's just building up my milk supply because she's been feeding for longer lately. I'm pinning my hopes on that anyway!!

Right, better get on with some housework x x x

Oooh, that was a selfish post! Hope everyone has a nice day

Poor you Rodeo. Perhaps if you wrestle into work you'll feel better? Happens like that sometimes as it distracts you from how you feel. If you stay at home will you be getting any rest? How does Jess feed when you're at work, sorry can't remember? If you stay at home would your dh carry on as if you were at work and care for Jess and the other 2? Maybe worth weighing all those things up, I'm sure you are anywayhth...
BoB about your gas going off and N-Power's lack of care! Have just switched to them myself....oops, mind you somebody else on here was saying pretty much the same about British Gas last year...sorry can't remember who....so maybe they're all pants? Make a nuisance of yourself that's my advice , ring them again today or even email them so you have written evidence of all your contacts and tell them that Oskar has a cold and explain again how young he is....good luck, hth.

Thanks Londoner, feeling a bit better after taking the tablets Going to go into work, I'll be fine, it's only 4 hours anyway! It's the cigerette smoke I can't stand, it's bad enough when you've not got a cold! Last time Jess slept while I was there, dp had carton of milk on standby but didn't need it in the end!

Also means I'm going to miss CBB finale!!

Rodeo - I had a really bad cold when Z was in hospital and I found the Lemsip powder really helped. They come in a box of sachets and you just pour the contents onto your tongue (exactly like sherbet). Very convenient. HTH and that you get better soon.

Enthusia - Likewise and hope that your day passes with ease. I remember my friend telling me of how her DH would return from work and ask her 'So, what have you been doing all day then?' Men!

Have a question please for those b/f and topping up with formula. How much formula do yo give your LO and how many times a day please? Also how did you decide that was the right amount - was it trial and error or on advice from a Health Proffesional? I'm asking as I want to start giving Z a couple of ounces of goats milk prior to putting him down at night. Just wondering if I have to consult H/V or GP or If i'm able to just go ahead on my own logic. He is doing v.well on just breastmilk but would like him to be gaining more weight than just the minium 20g a day. Thanks.

I also find that with the b/f I have a very healthy appetite and am constantly thirsty. Does anyone else find this too? I seem to be eating as much as I did when PG!

Why would I entertain the idea of a second baby after all I've been through?!? Why do we do that? I quite clearly said on Day Two in the hospital 'He is going to be an only child', It is a clear mercy that we forget the pain!!
Nova - How do you feel now about another? Still the same?

My DF is leaving tomorrow so am apprehensive as to how I will cope on my own with no help. My DF will even eat first so that DH and I can eat together while he takes over. I think It will be fine but as he's been with us since before Z was born may take some adjusting and a routine may then need to be called for! He is sleeping everynight between 12 and 1 and waking at 7.30am ish. He will only do this lying in bed with DH or in moses basket by bed, but DH reckons he wakes up more (just whimpering until head is rubbed) in the basket. Does anyone else have their LO sleep in bed?

Think I have made up for the times I will NOT be popping on today!! Thanks for reading.

Well Friday is my busy day, so off to catch up.

ok, defintely too much to do in one day.

Have cleaned the house, fuelled the car, done the bottles, written notes for Mum on Sam for tonight, done two loads of washing, fed Sam twice although hardly took any second time and then was VERY sick, most unlike him think this cold is getting to him!!!!Just went to bank to withdraw money but didn't reaise had to take id for that amount, so stormed out of bank got pram stuck as this women wouldn't move. Felt like crying but swore loudly instead. Then carried pram down steps I had just carried them up, went back to car, put sam in, put wheels in drove off, got home (to find I had left keys in door) got passport and did it all again. Was fuming! Felt better when in bank again and apologised to banker for swearing. Am back home again to feed before going to collect Mum and her friend and then going shopping, starting to laugh at myself now and have Dh's manta going through head at mo 'choose your mood!'

Thanks for all your comments, would love to see DH try and do all of that with Sam in tow!!!!!

ChaCha - to begin with I just gave 2fl ozs of formula after each day feed and then exclusively bf at night. I asked my hv who told me what the maximum food a day was (not sure if i agree with that now though). You don't have to ask your hv but you might want to for reassurance but do take what they say with a mountain of salt. It is now my opinion that you can't overfeed and that Z will soon tell you when he's had enough, and will bring up any excess!!!! Sam does! Hope it goes well and helps you if you decide to do it.

Rodeo - feel for you, bloody colds!!!!!!! I am using thaty first defence as mine is just starting, seems to be helping me not get any more symptoms anyway.

Righht got to go, unhappy Sam.

enthusia- i'm mazed at your energy! you'll have tired yourself out completely by the time you get round to going out tonight.
i'm feeling very lame as i failed to do the one thing i had planned today - the cinema!
i dozed off again this morning and slept til almost midday - eek!
mil invited herself to stay at ours last night, and left for brighton this morning. she wasnt as bad as i expected really, but oskar was asleep almost the whole time, hehe. then he spent most of the night awake and yelled at me to entertain him every time i drifted off. ah well!

i called npower, and strategically had oskar crying in the background so they agreed to come and sort the gas this afternoon..i'm a bad mummy using him as a persuasive tool! hehee