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Feb 2010 They're all walking and talking....and some are even sleeping. The babies are doing okay too.

988 replies

InmaculadaConcepcion · 11/11/2011 20:19

Pull up a comfy chair, grab a cuppa and a piece of cake, switch the monitors on low and let's PARTY.....!!!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
PenguinArmy · 06/01/2012 19:36

well with two screaming children just before 5pm we went out in the end. A 45 min walk (DS in the sling still didn't go off) and bar 5 mins, DD held my hand throughout. DS has a bad afternoon yesterday which I thought was because I'd gone out but he then slept 6 hours in a go at night, maybe the same will happen again Hmm. Holding a crying baby while a toddler runs into your bedroom and pulls out your drawers was interesting, thankfully they were both quiet when outside.

I was umming and ahhing about whether to mention childcare in my response email requesting the week after. In the end I thought any company that held it against me wasn't one I wanted to work in so went for it. He sent me a very reassuring email back that they have lots of parents and that he's a father of three. At the moment I still don't even know what the job is really let alone if I will apply (or how they will feel about me not wanting to start for a fair few months). What does one wear to a pre job application look around? It's for the 19th.

StoneBaby · 06/01/2012 19:43

PA I'll dress like if it was an interview (ie smart) or maybe a bit more casual. You're right that it's not the 1st time he skips nap, but it was the 1st time at nursery

StoneBaby · 06/01/2012 19:45

Yepee! I've sold Alfie the singing bear!!! This toy was driving me nuts...

BigBlueBear · 06/01/2012 20:58

PA it all sounds very promising. I'd dress smart casual for a pre-interview look around so you make a good impression without looking overdone. Trousers and a decent top, perhaps. Not a suit, but not jeans either. But maybe that's not right for your line of work.

SB well done!

bethylou · 06/01/2012 22:41

That sounds very positive PA. I second BBB's opinion on the clothes - check the top will go over the BF breasts beforehand - I had a shock when I went for an inernal interview when DS1 was 11 weeks and I couldn't do up the top I had intended to wear!!

SB good news on the singing bear, not so much on the lack of nap!

Someone upthread asked about dummies. We have only ever used it for sleeping (day and night, and DS2 has a comedic way of spitting it out into my hand first thing in the morning!!) DS2 still has it then and had got in a habit of dropping it out of the cot so that DH would go back in to return it at bedtime a night. This finished last week when I went up, told him if he dropped it out he would not get it back - and it hasn't happened since!! Our plan is to get rid of it when he is 2 and a bit - pretty much as soon as we think he is ready to understand the concept of exchanging it for a present from the dummy fairy (as told to DS1 by a friendly neighbour, so now have to follow it..) I'm not sure we're quite there yet. I can certainly remember DS1 being up in the night and DH and I lying in bed wishing we had not done away with the dummy as it took longer for him to resettle (though he gave it up at 5 months himself). My most experienced friend threw them all out and used bedmats in layers as her DS3 cried until he was sick repeatedly for the first 3 nights. That was at about 17 months, hence us leaving it until DS2 understands the exchange idea in the hope of avoiding the technicolour yawns!!

To be honest, I'm really not overly concerned by DS2's behaviour at the moment - he is generally gorgeous, just using his physical strengths to outwit his 'bigger' brother. I keep a close eye on him when we are out and about and he's only used a little hit with anyone else. I think if either of mine were on the receiving end of a bite I would expect the other parent to deal firmly with it and remove the child from the situation for a bit. As a teacher of children with SEN, I am a master at using time out in the way that Supernanny suggests - I can't afford to get it wrong professionally! DH values my patience and calmness in dealing with our two above many of my other traits I think. I do regularly reming him that the DS are only 1 and 3 - when they are good communicators it is very easy to forget their chronological ages and developmetal stages and expect too much.

DS2 is currently waking 3-5 times again in the night. He's not properly awake, but crying and it sounds like a pain cry. I'm not sure if he might be getting the big bad back teeth early (as DS1 did at this age) or whether it is reflux-related. Either way, we're shagged! Did get a sleep through for once on Christmas Day night which was bliss and very well timed! I can't imagine life with consistent unbroken nights - I might be about as energetic as supergran from the 1980s for the first few weeks!! Mostly, I don't think about it much, as it makes it easier, but it doesn't set DH and I off for harmonious mornings afer a run of really bad ones like this week's. (Don't need sympathy here, just late night musing really..)

And lastly..a rant alert! Any suggestions on the following please: We've got to go to a wedding on March 3rd with both DS (after DH has had a weekend off to attend a stag do, obviously). DH found out at midnight on NYE that he is to be the best man. Hoorah for him! This leaves me with both DS, a host of food intolerances to try and deal with at a wedding feast while DH grins at me from the top table and runs round being all important; and the choice of driving LOs home for the evening alone, while DH drinks the night away and kips on someone's floor (while I tend to the DS alone at home all night), or sharing a hotel room (and sitting in it during the evening) in which neither DS is likely to sleep and DH snores contentedly - after packing enough kit to supply a small army for a long tour etc.. You can all imagine it, I'm sure, and it's making me very grumpy. (Mous as far as I can tell, I have two male equivalents of your lovely, lively DD2-they scared my DB off the idea of having kids the other day!!)

The inlaws will be there (with supply of dairy free chocolate buttons to give to DS1 in the middle of dinner, as usual Hmm) with all their friends, who I would be mortified if the DC didn't behave in front of.. SIL will also be there and she will be of some help, but will need lots of support to be useful. We can't decide what the best plan is and have no options on the leaving them at home front (unless I lock them in a cupboardHmm) and MIL has said she will cry if the LOs don't go anyway - more Hmm-even though I have explained that I might actually enjoy the day more in that scenario.

At the moment, I can't see past both DS hiding under the table, biting an ancient aunt on the ankle, and them (and I) lying on the floor having really loud screaming tantrums. Then there's the whole trying to wear a dress and heels thing whilst running elegantly after the boys before they hit the main road/throw precious ornaments/knock over open bottles of wine, requiring my fine line in goalkeeping-type poses to rescue the situation. (If I don't wear an 'appropriate' wedding oufit there will be comments from the MIL and SIL so can't really go for the trouser option, and don't own anything on those lines anyway, apart from jeans). Any ideas gratefully received as I don't want it to play on my mind for the next 7 weeks. I think I will just suggest that the happy couple won't need to buy in any other form of entertainment as we will gladly provide it Smile.

(I took DS2 to watch DS1's swimming lesson for the first time today, having spoken about his craziness a few times to the mums I see there each week. They just laughed and watched in amazement as he quite successfully scaled the glass barrier to get to the water from the viewing area ("I want go swimming now Mummy!"), pushed his way through the heavy fire door to escape(x10), went flying down the steps backwards onto the hard floor, climbed and walked/ran along the benches etc.. all with me trying to control him. He looked about a year older than the other sibling there who is only 8 weeks younger than him). A whole day of it at a wedding and I might just sleep through any noises in the night!!

Sorry, once again, that got long, but I really would appreciate some lateral thinking and you are a creative lot. I don't want LOs or I to ruin DH's big moment.

Have a good weekend and lots of Wine for those that can and Chocolate < where's that emoticon gone?> for those that can't.

LittlebearH · 07/01/2012 00:52

Hello Laydees! I thinkk I have read somewhere (although I cant find it) that IC is pregnant. Is this true?? If so congrats and how many weeks? So much has happened am lost, cannot remember when I last posted etc.

How are you doing with 2 babies PA?

Anyone potty training yet? DD tells me she hasnt done a poo poo but covers her eyes which means she has. I am going to leave it till the summer.

Had a lovely xmas (2 weeks off, bliss)

How we all doing with speech? DD says "mummy back there NOW" if I dare sit on the sofa after playing with her. I dont know where she has got that from.

Not bothered if I tell her off. She smirks.

Any other news?? I am so behind and lost. Would love an update.

I am so sorry I havent been keeping up. Work is so hectic but the anti deps have been increased and I have (almost) given up smoking with DP. Generally I am feeling less down but more busy. Christmas is over but now stressing about what to do for DDs 2nd birthday....

Hugs to all. xx

StoneBaby · 07/01/2012 09:01

bethy re the wedding outfit, what about a nice tunic, leggings and ballerinas? I've got a wedding in a few months and that's what I'm aiming to wear but it's emerald green

PenguinArmy · 07/01/2012 10:11

Beth What scuppered the in-laws with dairy free buttons was the fact she reacts to soy as well and they don't know you can order dairy free, soy free chocolate online. Maybe a fib is in order?

DD nappies have gone bad again so need to have a rethink about what's in her diet. Yesterday she had some bombay mix style food (not spicy) and last time there was a bad nappy some rice/japanese snack things. Can't potty train with those around though, she leaked onto the floor this morning.

Forgot to say what our walk last night, bearing in mind it was dark. Ruthina when walking past the half buried head stones besides the wall (she was walking on top of) in the church yard would (i) pat their tops (ii) peer round to them and (iii) wave and say hello to them.

Nice to hear from you LBH, on the most part I'm enjoying have the two of them. It's when they're both crying together I get a little frazzled and react to DDs in ways I would rather not. I catch myself there and then. Need to read a toddler book for some hints on how to deal with them and I'm not too up to date what their development beyond now. We're planning to wait to the summer for nappies and I was also with the dummy initially planning to wait until her comprehensions was better, but was thinking not much beyond the other of two.

InmaculadaConcepcion · 07/01/2012 13:19

Hello LBH!

Yep, we've conceived again and I'm heading towards week 6, so very early days yet. Mind you, I'm feeling more pregnant than I did last time round, so that's got to be a hopeful sign.
Potty training - not planning on starting anytime soon as DD doesn't seem remotely ready (she doesn't seem to have much idea when she's going to pee or poo) although she's often interested in sitting on her potty or being held while sitting on the toilet. She even peed in her potty the other day, which surprised her as much as me (this was after a considerable time sitting on it and being read stories). But I think it's going to be several months yet. If this pregnancy works out, it would be nice to have DD sorted with the potty by the time DC2 comes along, but I'm told they often regress when a new baby comes on the scene....

bethy the wedding scenario sounds a nightmare. Here are my suggestions:

  1. Wear trainers with your dress and make sure it isn't too tight.
  2. Put muzzles on both boys so they can neither eat any forbidden foods nor bite any ancient aunts' ankles. And maybe put reins on them too.
  3. Borrow a bicycle side-car for kids, snuggle and handcuff both boys in it when it's time to sleep, park it in a quiet side room and have a boogie.
  4. To be absolutely sure, get some sedatives organised too.
In all seriousness, that sounds like a tough call all round. Are there likely to be any helpful older kids around who might at least help to provide a diversion/ entertain the DC a bit? It might not be as bad as you think...

Shame about DD's nappies going ugh again, PA.
Your possible new employer sounds good! Might be the antidote you need to your old nightmare boss in California....

OP posts:
StoneBaby · 07/01/2012 15:10

Hello LBH I'm sort of potty traninig by putting DS on the potty before bathtime and nursery put him on it several times a day. There's some success but it's mostly to get him use to it.

IC I love your wedding check-list. Grin

StoneBaby · 07/01/2012 20:40

bethy MN advices on wedding outfits

PenguinArmy · 07/01/2012 21:05

the seeds I gave her yesterday were flavoured with soya sauce Blush

DD was returned to bed 51 times before going off tonight. Now to get DS to sleep...

bethylou · 07/01/2012 21:21

But you've managed to get her to sleep by 9pm PA which is earlier than we managed with either of our boys in a bed (when DS2 had his one night trial!!) I found that I didn't object too strongly to spending 3 weeks on the inernet in the spare room until 10pm as long as DS1 then stayed in bed asleep through the night. DS2, of course, is not yet sleeping through so just returned to the getting out (and setting off his alarm) at 4a.m until I made DH reconstruct the cot pronto!! He will now be in a cot until he is at least 5 and is regularly found crawling around the top of the bars!!

Thanks SB for your ideas. IC I'm also liking yours, obviouslyGrin. Found out today it has a stream running outside the room!!

LBH Wouldn't say we are potty training exactly, but DS2 has decided he won't wear nappies anymore, preferring 'my pullups' as he calls them and is weeing about 6 times a day on the nappy and gets a sweet for his productions. He has shown that he can do it, but can't really be bothered!! This approach seemed to work with DS1 who was clean and dry by 2 years 2 months.

PenguinArmy · 07/01/2012 21:26

That is a good point bethy. I was tempted to hold the door shut, but figured she needed to learn at some point. She was quite funny actually, I would wait until she had left her room or hit the front room, once she saw me she would then run into her bed, I'd shut the door and repeat.

I brought a jacket today, like this but in a bluey/green. Will go with a blue/teal top and grey trousers. Me and DH are on 20 min blocks with Nigel.

I think I'd faint if I had two children your ages near a stream.

PenguinArmy · 07/01/2012 21:46

It was also quite painless compared to nap where she was overtired (she is just in a tired phase and had swimming), over stimulated (as my parents had turned up just before she went down) and was thrashing around all over the place. Clearly wanting to sleep but unable to before a massive cry.

StoneBaby · 07/01/2012 22:17

bethy can you get your DSs some clothes with concealed life jackets?

PA good that you found out your DD funny nappy cause. I'm impressed by how calm you sound having putting her back to bed 51 times Shock

Today was again nap free bit DS dealt with it fine considering that he's full of cold

LeMousquetaireAnonyme · 08/01/2012 10:13

I do follow the posts but keep forgetting most of what is said the answer might be here, I have always been quite advanced for my age Wink.

bethy I would wear a floaty dress or legging and tunic, and ballerinas. I went to a wedding with DD1 when she was 4. She was the only kid though and it was outside so forgiving for running around. We let her dance (made a show of herself) until she dropped and slept of a bench, she wasn't really interested in the food at all (too slow, elaborate, too much too long...).
For my SIL wedding (I had no kids) a room was booked in the hotel of the party with a babysitter for the kids to stay with TV, ice creams,... different parents came from time to time to check and chat and took some kids down to o have a bit of fun if wanted. Would that be possible (you can share the price with other people, it works if there is not so many kids though otherwise it is chaos). I wouldn't care about when or where they sleep and just cary them with me half asleep when we have finished and all go to sleep.

FC I wouldn't put the newborn in the travel cot you will do your back having it so low. If you want to keep them in cots I would put your DC1 in the travel cot now and put the cot at the highest setting for the newborn.
I have that bed for DD1 and DD2 will inherit soon but not too soon I hope.
The thinking was we didn't want to have pee accidents in a bed that she will keep has a teenager (mattress are expensive to change), and we needed the rail because she was moving so much in her sleep.

PenguinArmy · 08/01/2012 20:39

tonight 41 times, but loads quicker

no problems at nap time though

looked up ingredients for the rice snack wotsits and they did have soy sauce in. Looks like she is really sensitive to it, trace amounts cause a nappy. At some point I need to try soy free bread and see if that makes a difference.

PenguinArmy · 08/01/2012 20:41

and she has a very bruised finger tip due to wardrobe trappage

BabyGiraffes · 08/01/2012 21:12

Hi everyone I am back and have survived eleven days without internet and feel very much out of the loop now. Will try to catch up with everyone in the next few days Smile

BigBlueBear · 09/01/2012 09:13

bethy I was in your situation with my BIL's wedding last year. DH was no tbest man, but was heavily involved, and obviously was drunk a couple of hours in. I survived by taking lots of things for the DDs to do (colouring, stickering, books, MP3 player with audiobooks for DD1 so she could "read" at the same time etc), going outside to let them rampage whenever I could (as this made them more likely to sit at the table when needed), and took a packed lunch and snacks for the girls as the wedding started at 12noon but lunch wasn't until 4pm. I left at 6pm to put the girls to bed at home, figuring I'd rather be at home where I could watch TV downstairs rather than in a hotel room.

Outfit wise, I went for a great dress with high heeled shoes but with flats (glittery ones that cost £6) under the pushchair for when I needed to change (which happened very soon). I made sure I wore amazing jewellry so everybody noticed that instead of my shoes!

Hi LBH! No potty training here yet, but DD2 definitely knows when she goes. We've only had a couple of wees on the potty, so have a way to go. I'm hoping it will happen over summer.

Good luck with the interview PA. I'm sure you'll look fab. My top tip for interviews or anything scary like that is to wear fab shoes. It means I can look down and feel happy!

BG well done on surviving no internet. Did you have a nice time?

Bearcrumble · 09/01/2012 11:19

You can get really nice jewelled ballerina style flats that would be fine for a wedding I think.

DS has been ill with a nasty cough and cold for the past 3 days and I've had it since yesterday. Feel like shit. Sleep patterns all buggered up. He slept from 2.30-5.15 yesterday afternoon then wouldn't go to bed until 11pm. Then woke at 3 for ages then came in with me and slept from 5-10am.

I'm going to make a concerted effort to do more potty stuff when he's recovered from this. He will sit on it for a bit and I managed to catch one half-out poo in there once and a dribble of wee (most of it had already gone on the floor) another time. He also lies and says he hasn't done a poo when he has.

Good luck with the interview PA. It sounds ideal - really good to know they are onside re childcare.

Did you see the thread about Expatinscotland's little girl? So sad. I hope they are able to find a donor. I've meant to go on the bone marrow register for years but always been a bit chicken but I've signed up now.

InmaculadaConcepcion · 09/01/2012 13:49

Aw Bc - groo. Poor you and your DS, I hope you both get well superfast.
I'll go and find that thread.

PA Sounds like an improvement on the bed-staying business for your DD! Are you doing the Supernanny Back To Bed technique, out of interest?
Ouch to the trapped finger...

BBB, that sounds like one well-planned wedding expedition!

Oh no, your DS has another cold, SB. Bah.

Welcome back BG!

We're enjoying a few days of proper cold-free time with DD. I'm not kidding myself it'll last long now we're going back to toddler groups....
And she slept through again last night, whoopee!

I've been noticing how much DD has changed in the last couple of months. The main thing is her self-confidence. She's totally unfazed by being in busy groups of people with lots of other children. She's much braver physically (into climbing and running much more) and very enthusiastic about things like craft activities and singing in groups. Today I was able to lead the singing at the toddler group (the organiser was busy) - something that would have upset her no end a few weeks ago. She was fine with it (including when another little boy came and perched on my lap for one song) and loved joining in and doing all the actions. It was great!

OP posts:
PenguinArmy · 09/01/2012 14:16

kinda IC although I think more an extension of previous technique. There would be more crying if I lay down with her. I don't have to physically put her back in bed, she runs back when either of us goes to her. I just think the temptation is too much stimulation for her.

BC like you I was a bit scared but the conversation came up at Christmas and at that thread gave me the final kick to apply.

DD and a similar aged boy were enticing each other to play chase today, then looking not interested when the other complied :)

boo to all colds, yay for cold free people

BBB I don't need telling twice re:buying new shoes Grin

wasn't there talk of a farm meet up?

BigBlueBear · 09/01/2012 14:37

Yes PA there was talk of a farm meet up. Shall I be brave and propose a date?