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

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

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

BBB what a lovely thing to say! Thank you
Sorry to hear about DD1 ear infection. I hope the anti-bis will get rid of it ASAP.

SB That's excellent news about your eyes, what a relief.
I'm feeling okay, thanks. Still mildly queasy on and off, funny taste in mouth, tender boobs..... hopefully that means things are progressing as they should be this time. Still, I'll find out for certain on Tuesday morning...

PA Sounds very promising! It would be good if they could offer you something a bit later in the year, wouldn't it? FX.
I do what you do wrt corrections (love "foffee"!!)
The tricky one is sorting out pronouns I/you/me/mine/your/s etc. etc. DD is starting to get to grips with them, but not surprisingly, she's still rather confused about how to apply them correctly.
Interesting what you say about consonant sounds. DD can manage "pl" - I'll have a listen to what she still struggles with. She can't do "th" yet (not surprisingly), but seems to be able to manage pretty much everything else. She can't roll her 'r's Spanish style either, but DH is her main model for Spanish and he can't either.

BG looks like another one dropping her nap here. The last couple of days DD has taken a while to get off to sleep at lunchtime and has then taken a long time to get to sleep at bedtime. QED, really. I think from now on I will only suggest a nap if she looks tired, is poorly or wakes up especially early.

Good job I'm starting to amass crafting things for some quiet at home activities, eh?!
How are the other LOs doing for naps? It sounds like a lot of them are now on a hit or miss with them.

Scones, I'm hugely impressed at your DD2's sleeping! OK, it would be marvellous if both were sleeping through, but thank goodness you're only having one wake up in the night!

bethy poor DS2, but I'm very pleased to hear he's starting to be able to keep some food down. FX you can avoid hospital and he'll go from strength to strength.

Mous size 8 blimey!

Thanks for the pillow thoughts! I think I may copy BG and get a little flattish one from IKEA and see what DD thinks of it. Although she does wriggle around in her cot to some degree, she mostly keeps her head up one end. I think she may like having a pillow. She's started to want a blanket in with her (although she tends to get too hot if she has it over her).

Well, that was such an essay, I'll start a new post for this one!
(I woke up earlyish, so am taking advantage of me-time...)

What are you getting for your LO's second birthdays?

I've just ordered DD an Aquadoodle, a double CD of folky nursery rhymes (following the success of the Laura Veirs collection), DH and I are going to make her a big poster using pictures of her relatives (she adores looking at photos of family members!!) to put up in her room and I think I'll add a pillow to the list.

Also, any thoughts on a couple of toddler-suitable activities for when DD has a few of her friends round? I'm keeping it small - only four young guests (one of whom is a bit too young to be included in the activities...) and I'm happy for it to be fairly unstructured, but figured it might not be a bad idea if there were one or two "games" to occupy them. I thought we could maybe sing a few songs together a la toddler group as a starter.

PS Tartan trousers for your boys, bethy
Well, they would certainly look cute! But bah if it involves too much hassle...

SB good news on the eyes.

BBB hope the ear get better soon.

PA FX, it sounds like good timing too. And yes IME, it is up to the people who will be directly above you to choose who he wants.

Bethy tartans It is good that your DS is eating a bit, FX.

IC DD2 already has an aquadoodle and loves it.
She will have new shoes (already done), some clothes (second hand but including a traditional romanian peasant blouse), and a pencil case with some pencils, wax crayons and a note book (hoping that she will stop taking her sister's).

The singing is a good idea.
Some dancing? ring of roses, grand old duke of york, the shepherd in his den, all favorites and of course anything disco, folk, rock...
DD1 enjoyed musical cushions and pass the parcel but it is far above DD2's head, IME most of them are still too small to understand rules. I think your DD might be ready but not the guest IYSWIM.
Some softplay type of obstacle course with cushions and tunnels (use sheets and blankets).
Just play with balloons (lots) and/or bubbles.

DD1 got her pillow when she went in a bed DD2 will too, BTH there no space for a pillow in the cot with my monsters anyway . We have the flat IKEA one too.

DD2 has acute bronchitis, but she is dealing well with it now, and sleeping again. She is off doliprane (any kind) the doc. wanted to be cautious, and since she has been exposed to chicken pox she is off ibuprofen too. I have to call her or go to hospital if temp. rise to 40C otherwise no medication.

BG I don't remember what I was supposed to say to you, but my time is up.

Mous that DD2 is unwell but glad that she is coping better.

bethy also very glad to hear that DS2 is on the mend.

Thanks scones! BG I don't correct, I do repeat in one language or another to see if I understood correctly. Obviously I am not doing that yet with DD2 as we have had no progress yet
DD1 wasn't able to say v until past 4 and DH still can't say r (40 this year, hehehe)
Very impressed with your little ones speaking ability.

bethy DD1 was very good at jigsaw, too her favourite book was this and the fairies one with bigger puzzles. I am sure there is a boy version of it too. It might be a good idea for birthdays. She is extremely logical and it can be an hindrance sometime, she needs to be explained things in advance. It is good for math and science at school though. So look out for the tantrums in your DS2 it might be because he doesn't make sense to him or he hasn't be told in advance.

IC definitely going on the side of no nap more often than naps. I haven't been able to put her down in her cot during the day since we moved. Naps are done in the pram, during a cuddle or watching tv when they happen.

bethy Just check the usborne site and there is a pirate jigsaw book and DD1 would have adored the map of england one too (she has a thing for maps ).

Gaahhhh It doesn't make sense, been told

Although I came out with a positive feeling, I'm not so sure now. Still I will send my CV off to formally apply and also send it off to another company. I was happy about returning to work but DH is reluctant to go back to being a SAHD. He is really worried he won't be able to return to work in the future. If that's the case then I think I'll be happy returning but not until later. I really don't know. I've settled into this SAHM lark and I have quite clear ideas on how I want DD (and also DS) to be raised which makes things difficult for me.

Do other's find calpol doesn't do much for their DCs fever where ibruprofen does? To be fair it could be the combo that works. Being unwell today explains why she got up three times in the night.

sorry if I ignored other people's. I have read but forgotten everything

ps physio went well yesterday, says I've made speedy progess (in 4 weeks what she would expect in 8) I recommend a physio's fingers up your fanjo before every work interview tbh. Although the button on my jacket broke and she gave me a christmas cracker sewing kit.

PA DS definately reacts better ot ibuprofen than Calpol.

He's just waking up from his nap so will comment later

also, anyone know id you can be intolerant to lamb (or other meat)? Twice DD has nicked DHs lamb burger and seemed to cause a reaction. Going through food groups takes ages.

I recommend a physio's fingers up your fanjo before every work interview tbh

Now, there's an interview tip I hadn't heard before...!
Good news on your bendyness, PA

Well, I wasn't going to bother putting DD down for a nap today, but she was being very short-fused at lunchtime, so I figured she probably was a bit tired. Think she nodded off shortly after 14.00. But I won't let her sleep for too long.
It's nice not to feel stressed about whether she actually sleeps or not. I figured if she didn't sleep, at least a rest would recharge her batteries. Plus after the lunchtime shenanigans I'd had enough and needed a break from her.

The nice thing about being more flexible with the lunchtime nap (and therefore lunchtime itself) is that DD and I had more time this morning to do things before getting food etc. organised. We went to the fabulous M-Shed museum, which we both enjoyed hugely. (DH is doing a training day, so back at school).
Some of our toddler groups are getting a bit too busy for my liking, so I think I might start doing more "cultural" activities with DD as an alternative. Luckily, Bristol is quite well-endowed with free-entry museums etc.

Yep, Mous DD is another one who seems to find ibuprofen more effective than paracetamol/Calpol. Mind you, it can be tricky for stomachs, can't it? Having just read a thread with some eyebrow-raising accounts of stomach problems after ibuprofen, I'm going to use paracetamol next time DD needs something and see if it does the trick. I got put off using paracetamol when I accidentally gave DD an overdose a few months ago. (She didn't suffer any ill-effects, luckily).

IC PA I found calpol works for temp below 39 but if it is higher ibuprofen is better.
IC you are right about ibuprofen and stomach it has to be taken after eating and not for a long period, and never if you have chicken pox. You can see the effects of calpol on my other thread though...

Calpol is definitely bad for DD2!

PA That is the funniest interview tip I had ever had

PA I'm at your ILs behaviour. I'll be so p**d off about it. Firstly they need to be reminded that they have 2 grandchildren and that your DD has got another set of grandparents + relatives who wish to be present for her birthday

bethy if your MIL wants your DSs to wear tartan trousers, fine let her buy them (she'll be using her time and not yours). You can always bluff it on the day by sayig that they're too long/short/big for them. I hope your DS2 is getting better. Have you find your outfit for that wedding?

BBB I won! DS refused to eat your dahl but I think he's developing a new chest infection so it may have affected his appetite.

IC fx for Tuesday

DD's total nap time (over 3 naps) was 6 hours, but her fever is currently gone :)

DD had the dal yesterday but not today. Think I've figured out she doesn't like different textures so keeping it plain and liquidising it helps. Btw is there a trick to liquidising without getting splatter everywhere?

I can add another poorly baby to the list... It took us from before 7 until past 9 tonight to get dd2 to sleep . She would not settle anywhere, even our laps and our bed. She's got bad breath and kept doing a little cough so I think she's got tonsillitis again. I'm hoping she sleeps well and has a lie in tomorrow...

We went to the outside of hours GP at A&E this morning and DS doesn't have a bronchiolitis as I thought but tonsilitis. So back on AB and nose drops to clear his sinusis. Try to explain to the GP that he's poorly while DS is chatting and moving around but doctor he's normally more energetic than that !

Thanksfully it hasn't affected his sleep. fx

dd2 was up at 7 and apart from being a little short-tempered she shows no other sign of illness... Aren't toddlers odd.

DD has HF&M I believe

Hi all. Trying to keep up! I have to admit posting on FB is easier as I can be quicker on there. I am feeling better since upping the anti deps. I feel bad as you have all been so supportive and I only seem to do me posts. FWIW I think you all do a fantastic job.

PA another here. I have dropped Calpol for the liquid Nurofen. I love the syringe too. No spills. NOTHING gets pink Calpol stains out. I am an expert at stain removal.

I have to say I am loving this age with DD. It is so much fun. The other day we went out for tea. I asked DD if she would like sausages or pasta. She shouted PASTA. LADY COOK ME DIN DINS!! She has learned to blow her nose, count to ten and say silly me/mummy/dada when we do something daft or wrong. It is so cute watching her play with her kitching copying things I do. Stirring and saying din dins ready now. Oft. (hot) and then feeding DeLi or her bear. She has also learned to do a 15 piece puzzle of a big red bus. I know I am probably boasting, but her grand parents seem to think she is very smart. Maybe it is due to the time I put in? I am curious to know what you think.

I know that people who have more than 1 child say they didnt do as much with the second as their 1st. Maybe that is it.

Been reading more up thread...
Scones DD says pease too. Also Cuggle in mummy bed is a favourite. Strangely when she says hands, it sounds like arse. I have tried to correct this but we both end up with the giggles and her shouting wash me arse! She cannot say H, so she says me 'it me 'ead. So funny.

Interesting to read IC and Mous dropping naps. DD still goes down at 12.30 and will do 2 hours if I let her. I let her have 1hr and a half though. She goes to bed at 7.15pm at sleeps through (i still havent got used to this) unitl 6.15am. The odd time every 3 weeks or so will do a 7.17am. (Usually when I have been awake at 5am!!)

PA When DS had hand foot and mouth we made ice lollies out of apple and mango juice and they went down well. It's horrible when it hurts them to eat. I hope she feels better soon.

Sorry to hear about the poorly LOs
Sending get well vibes to all of them.

BG I guess you'll make an assessment of DD2 tomorrow morning and let me know whether you're still coming to visit?

LBH lovely to hear from you! Don't worry about "me" posts, it's great to have a quick catch up. Love the dropped H's and "arse" instead of hands...!!

Well, today was our first official napless day.

DD woke at 08.15 (blissful Sunday lie-in for me and DH!!) and seemed lively, so we gave her some quiet time after lunch (she snuggled on the sofa with DH and read some books with him). Her GPs came for a couple of hours in the afternoon and we could see she was starting to get tired when MIL was reading with her, but she held out pretty well to eat an okay supper (although her eyes started to droop over her yoghurt!) and in fact, remained in a good humour until we put her in her cot, lights out pretty much bang on 19.00 (it's usually more like 19.40, then she's been chatting for an hour or more) and she was asleep within a couple of minutes.

I'm going to play each day by ear, but I was impressed by how well she did today on no daytime sleep. She didn't get crabby and her energy levels were mostly good.
I guess losing the lunchtime break from my point of view means gaining an hour in the evening (I'm not usually free until 20.00). So that's something!

Part of me cannot wait until DD drops naps. It will mean soo much more freedom. However 1.5 hours on a Sunday afternoon is bliss. I get to have a little snooze too. I sometimes miss the 9am nap when I am trying to dry and straighten my hair with DD on my lap and reading a story at the same time!!

BBB I have the opposite problem to you... Whenever dh is around dd2 does not want to have anything to do with me! I am usually happy to step back and let him do things with her and have precious time with dd1 instead, but this weekend really went too far. dd2 had tantrums when I so much as looked at her! I had no mercy when it got to bed time and scooped her up anyway to get her ready and changed etc. Honestly. I am good enough for her in the week after all so I think she is being a bit of a drama queen.