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.....!!!

BG your DD2 sounds much the same as me - amusing and exasperating in equal quantities. She is still saying "love you" every night after I put her to bed, so I think we'll keep her...

How's all the poorliness?

I didn't work on Saturday night, instead I watched OBEM and ate popcorn. Lovely. Though now I have loads of work to do, and BT coming this afternoon to break our internet install a faster internet connection. So I'd better get on!

How funny bc I was just thinking this morning that i might make a huge version of the choc/guinness cake for my DDs' party. No decoration whatsoever apart from a couple of candles

Your cake sounds amazing SB but where do you find the time??

How were the ILs PA?

How was DD2's bday Mous?

Thanks for the puzzle recommendation BF. I went on amazon and bought one of each variety for all the 2yo bdays coming up. Some were a fiver and some reduced to £3.49 (result). Is that enough of a bday prez or should I get something else as well... [stingy and also can't-be-bothered-to-think emoticon]

Good luck with the inet BBB.

Well I should get on, not sure which unpleasant task to tackle first nappy wash or do some housework, hmm. Sometimes I do wonder if I'd be happier working PT (but can't afford to and anyway DD2 is too young). It all feels like a bit of a drudge atm.

Sorry for whingeing AGAIN! I did have an absolutely lovely weekend, we did very little and i caught up on sleep and felt very happy all weekend. Think i have an attack of the Mondays.

BG not BF sorry!

Thanks all for the birthday wishes.

DD2 had a chocolate cake (it is the only one she will eat!) and loved her presents. Then were invited for a tea with raspberry tart by her godfather (she ate only the raspberry ). We had a really nice night out without the girls at some friends in the evening . So not bad at all! She probably won't remember anyway .

scones I bought more present in the end but she has nothing from family/freinds and also for DD1's benefit. If she was the 1st one and if family and friends will provide too that is enough!

ooops got to go school time.

I have my sweet toddler back! Apart from a brief argument with her breakfast dd2 has been a delight this morning. Very chatty, very cheerful and then volunteered to take herself off to bed for a nap! So whatever her problem has been the last few days she now seems to feel better.

mous scratched my head at your comment that you have to go and get your dd1 from school, then brain kicked in to remind me that you a few hours ahead... How is she getting on? We had sleet this morning which made dd1 very happy (no snow yet this winter)

BG 2 h ahead! So I am back and frozen stiff! -8 with a low of -18 for the night ! -12 predicted for wednesday! I don't have the proper gear and I can't have a scarf on my nose because it steams my glasses.
DD1 is in heaven though! It is very difficult to take her out of the snow. DD2 is not so happy.
DD1 is getting on really well, thanks.

For her new tricks DD2 is taking herself out of the cot in the morning and comes to get us. She loves the toys she had for her birthday.

scones hope you feel better, what about doing the chores tomorrow?

PA how is DD?

Snow here, too! It didn't settle, though.

Good to hear your DD2 enjoyed her birthday, Mous!

For those with fussy eaters, we're trying a new approach now thanks to a new book I've got on the subject of eating.
We're now giving DD her second course at the same time as her first. For a few reasons:

1. It means the "dessert" course doesn't have an inflated value and therefore the less popular savoury course a lesser value in the eyes of the child.
2. Toddlers don't care about the "proper" order of eating their food.
3. Even if they choose to eat their second course first, they will often realise they are still hungry and will then turn their attention to their first course.
4. It means even if DD completely rejects her first course, we don't get stressed about her going to bed with an empty stomach.

DD has been miffed about it the first couple of meals because what we've had to do is introduce a "no seconds" policy - once her yoghurt and fruit course is finished, that's it, she doesn't get any more of it. The remaining option is the first course.
DD has been used to us giving her more yoghurt/fruit etc. when she's requested it, so she's understandably put out about that aspect of the new eating policy. BUT last night once she had realised we really weren't going to give her any more of her favourites, she did eat a little more pizza and then again at lunchtime, she ate a bit more of her eggy bread once she realised that was the only option left for her. Which goes to show the food doesn't disgust her, it's just her way of exerting some control over the eating situation (ie refusing the unfamiliar tastes/textures etc).

DH and I found that despite DD protesting about wanting more yoghurt etc., we both felt very Zen about it all and DD responded by eventually calming down and turning back to her main course. I reckon if we're consistent, she'll get the message that food on her plate/on the table is what's on the menu and that's it. I'll let you know if we start getting some good results wrt widening her repertoire!!

Sounds like a good approach IC

dd2 will now sometimes stop in the middle of the room, smile, and tell me she is doing pipi . Interesting development. I wonder if the lack of bodies means her nappy is not such a snug fit and she has more of a sensation? I have also noticed that her poo, even if sticky, will stay in 'shape' (unless she sits down of course) and she comes to me immediately with bulging bottom asking to be changed. I can usually tip it into the toilet, dd2 is quite fascinated by this and cheers when we flush it away.

Oh, and she also likes to follow dd1 to the bathroom to point out quite helpfully that dd1 is also a girl. dd1 is not hugely impressed by this esp when dd2 requests that she does a poo as well please...

scones I am lucky that DS goes to bed early (6pm - 6.30pm) and therefore I have time before my bedtime. Also most baking recipes I do are 'one' pot one and do not need lots of baking (during weekdays it'll be biscuits which need around 12 mn in the oven.

IC I like your new approach and may try it. Was it you who asked a few weeks ago at what time DS was snaking and dining? DS has his gouter (afternoon snack) att 4pm and dinner at 5.45pm. But dinner is not massive as he always eats a big lunch (most days he'll have 2nds)

mous that's cold. I've got all the gears but not those temperatures

DS says caca (poo) when he do a wee now, for the last few days he's been wearing a big boy vests so I wonder if it's acting the same as you suggest

So no illness our way, just a new outbreak with eczema, so it may have been linked.

Interesting development with the LOs not wearing bodies.... might try that with DD (although we've got a load of bodies and no big girl vests, so I probably won't rush into it just yet...!)

Yes, it was me SB - I was intrigued as to whether the gouter could interfere with the hunger for the evening meal or not (but I guess if the LO is only getting a light supper it doesn't really matter).

Well, we had pasta/pesto tonight which is a banker with DD, but it was interesting to note that despite having yoghurt with mango, raspberries and banana on the side, she ate most of her pasta before she turned her attention to that part of her meal!

The other thing I'm now doing is strictly (mostly!!) scheduled snacks. This book says it's a good way of making sure you don't keep giving out more at mealtimes /doling out bits of food whenever it's asked for between meals. You can say, "If you want more xx, you can have it at snack time/lunchtime/whatever".

So I took DD a small plate of chopped banana to have once she woke from her nap. She was utterly delighted and was keen to get straight up (usually she grumps a bit and is rather floppy after her nap) and enjoyed the novelty of sitting on the floor with her plate and eating her snack. I emphasised it was snack time and when she asked for "more 'nana", I said, "You can have more 'nana with your supper" and she surprised me by saying "OK!" cheerfully, instead of nagging me and whingeing.

In case anyone's interested, the book is How To Get Your Kids To Eat....but not too much by Ellyn Satter. It was recommended on the super-fussy eaters thread in Behaviour/Development. Good old Mumsnet!!

whens your 12/13 week scan IC

I've started with DD when she asks for my some of food getting her to eat hers first if I know its stuff she normally eats. Not necessary all of although I do when it comes to my toast but for dinner tonight she wanted my pinenuts having eaten hers, so she ate a piece of pasta for every few bits I gave her.

The ILs weren't too bad, I think us being mentally prepared help a lot in terms of how we set things. Naturally they still brought the DCs back (separately) at the latest moment we had said despite the fact it had been clear that DS had been crying a while. We vetoed taking them both out together etc. Only a few odd things, like they had made ham sandwiches with spread DD can eat which I assume is to do with their obsession to give her meat. Despite asking us permission for every single food they gave her, we just found out she'd had ham. Only had one instance of saying a rather blunt no when MIL to DD: do you want to help me make a cup of tea. tried to explain that DD understands the concept of helping now so even if she was sitting far away not doing anything it's still not fair on her to have offered to 'help'. Of course they didn't really speak to us, even in that instance she was walking away as I tried to explain and soften the no. Still not too bad even if we communicate via DD.

DDs fever was gone today and only needed calpol once as she was clearly in pain with coughing etc. Me and DS had our fevers today and looks like DH will have his tomorrow. I was dreading DH leaving this morning but today went alright actually.

beth I meant to ask, any tips on eating out and dealing with food being offered that DCs can't have? I can distract her at the moment but don't think it will be too long before I have to deal with it. Thanks for the fb comment, to be fair I'm pretty lucky with her climbing as she can do a lot, but lacks the imagination/inspiration to attempt it.

That is an interesting approach to mealtimes IC. I have sometimes thought of offering dessert at the same time as main meal to lessen the desirability (it's only ever fruit and fromage frais so not madly exciting) but tbh lately she's not even that interested in eating it, so I'm not sure it would work in her case. She is a fussy little madam. But I was until my teens or even twenties...

PA I didn't realise you are all ill in your house?! Get well soon. Poor you. It is AWFUL being ill and having two to deal with. Massive sympathies. Oh, for the days of taking to your bed when ill!

Glad the ILs visit went relatively well. They do sound odd.

Mous how cold??!!!! It is 1 degree here and it feels blimmin chilly. My goodness how are you coping!

BG are you using cloth nappies or do you just not like storing poos in the bin (I suppose that is a bit gross). On the very few occasions DD1 has pooed into her disposable at night I just wrap it up as usual and bin it Mind you I have enough scraping poo off nappies to last me a lifetime.

Well I think I can hear DD1 murmering. I am clinging stubbornly to her morning nap Gives me time to pump and, er, go on MN.

scones I have normally just binned nappies but lately dd2's poos have been relatively firm (she did rabbit poo for a while ). If it's 'suitable' for just tipping into the loo then I do it, otherwise I wrap it up and it goes in the black bag. I always binned dd1's nappies because she's always been on the runny side... So I've never done any scraping!

Minus 2 here this morning and I am quite proud of myself for walking dd1 to school (to be fair it is a 10 minute walk). Forgot to put 'wind and weather' cream on dd2 though and she promptly had that chapped look on her cheeks .

dd2 has decided that for now she'd quite like to keep having a nap after lunch, thank you . She dragged me upstairs at half 12 to help her climb into her cot and snuggle under her duvet . Not a peep out of her since...

IC that interesting. I am with scones though it doesn't work with DD2, she just pick what she wants and doesn't really cares if she goes hungry I would be worried if she was skinny.

BG that's cute

scone -20 at the airport this morning, apparently -13 during the day (it felt warmer to me ) The pram works on ice not on snow mush so I could go to the playgroup 30 min walk away (hard work though)

DD2 is also a very fussy child! no meat, no cooked veg, 1 kind of cheese, 1 kind of cake, yogurt not always, ham not always, eggs not always, plain pasta and rice, some breads, all fruits but she is off banana at the moment, cucumber, raw carrot and raw red pepper, and milk/water. She is just not bothered.

Still not talking much but her 2 year review is on friday, so will see what the pead. says.

Hope all the sickly are getting better.

I guess that's part of the point, Mous - if the LO really isn't hungry, so much so they don't even want to eat the bit they usually regard as their favourite, then there is no reason to force them into eating - that would lead to overeating in later life, I suppose. And at least you know that for whatever reason they don't have much of an appetite rather than it's because they're being faddy about the food choices. The book says to stay relaxed because toddlers will often only pick at a meal or skip it because they simply aren't hungry - they will make up for it in another meal or another day.

Yes Scones, the second course we offer is almost always a combination of fresh and/or dried fruit with plain Greek yoghurt, so if DD only eats that, we know she's got some healthy stuff inside her. I must admit, it started feeling silly to withhold fruit and yoghurt because of a first course refusal when those things are perfectly healthy!!

PA are you okay?

Good to hear your DD2 has cheered up BG!

maybe I'm mean, DD often goes to bed without dinner but I don't assume she goes to bed hungry. We don't have dessert since we stopped the yogurts. If I've forgotten to give her afternoon fruit I will offer (quite quickly as if she's not eating it she climbs out) but keep dinner there. I figure an apple wouldn't suppress her appetite is she was truly hungry and as I've said before she eats loads in the mornings.

I'm fine IC not proper ill, just enough to make things hard. If someone could mind them while I nap however...

I hear her door opening so shall say goodbye

well she is ill

just remembered I don't ache provided I keep taking paracetamol, hopefully won't forget that one again.

IC the bit that concerns me is that DD2 will only eat fruits if I let her. And I know she needs more protein and fat than that and less sugar. She has been ill (she is still coughing) so I let her have a bit of slack, but for the last 3 weeks it has only been bread, fruits and milk. She has started eating again raw veg and wheatabix since last week.
The rest is just spat out. I think she is trying because she is hungry but doesn't like it, so spit it, and then doesn't bother.
I wouldn't bother with the meat, but she refuses fishes and pulses as well, I don't know where to go for a balance meal from there.
FX when she stops coughing she will get less picky.

if the LO really isn't hungry, so much so they don't even want to eat the bit they usually regard as their favourite, then there is no reason to force them into eating I completely agree with that but when favourite is fruit every time, that is not healthy either. DD2 has never refused fruits or olives, only if she is very ill.
I am not forcing her to eat anything: when she is not hungry she doesn't eat! When she is hungry I would like her to eat what is on offer not just spit and try to raid the milk or the fruit bowl or tantrum and then give up eating.

Today she has had a small bowl of corn flakes, 2 small glasses of carrot and apple juice and 2 cup of pop corn (because of play group) and 200 ml of milk probably the same of water from 6h30 till 17h30. I am almost certain she will refuse the tuna/artichoke pastas that are for diner (well she might take the pastas if not too "tainted" by the rest). That is a very unbalance diet if it goes for much longer.

Poor PA hope you get better soon. I would mind but by the time I arrive you will probably be better!