Dec 08 Mums - happy new year, happy new thread and soon some happy new babies!

[sybilfaulty]

Happy new year!

Sorry for the rubbish title but wanted to get the new thread underway. Let's close the door on some of the sad events of 2011 and look forward to a better year in 2012.

JB, DS2 was well over 2.5yrs when we stopped and I'm still a bit sad and kind regretting of the stop even though I instigated it. I think whenever it happens its hard. But I think in your case, she has maybe decided its time. By all means keep up the expressed milk (you will always express less than she would have gotten out of you herself) it is amazing for her and is packed with some send off immunity assistance. I think sometime similar happened with Trace, P just stopped.

Sybs I know you no other way, but fabulous.

Lady, I was thinking about your ribs when I saw the sledge run from the chair lift at the snow the other week.

Can I have a stupidly proud moment, DS1, started reading late by UK standards, but he is reading in both English & Dutch & has started learning to write in Chinese radicals. I'm wiped out when I think about it, I'm struggling with Dutch, and can't even think about any other language. On top of all of that he is learning to read music for violin and he just does it! He just seems to take it all in his stride. I think I am most proud of the fact that his violin, Chinese and school teachers all comment on how well he applies himself, and his concentration and motivation. I just love him to bits and can't believe I made him.

Vag, boast away. He is amazing!!!

Feeling a bit swamped at moment. So much to do. DH currently beavering away sorting out garage. I ought to appreciate it, but am feeling mealy-mouthed that I feel guilty I'm not doing stuff. Have packed a few boxes upstairs, but not a lot. Gutted I didn't marry someone a bit lazier. Actually, someone more normal/sensible. And am resentful of feeling guilty because I wouldn't be feeling like this if he wasn't such a tight arse and packers were coming.
To be honest, I can hardly think about it without rage. Must move on.

Girls were hard work today. Think I made it worse as am struggling a bit at mo, so was a total bitch to them. Feeling guilty about that too. And I'm not even catholic!!! (not meant to offend!!)

Anyway, tomorrow is another day. Out with mates tomorrow night, thank god. No DHs. Phew. Whine whine.

Vag he is ruddy Amazing. His little mind must work so hard and that he wants to do all of that to is such an achievement. a credit to you and your DH.

Vag boast away!! He's a little star.

I need sleep!! DS2 decided to wake up at half 3 and wouldn't go back to sleep. Cue DS1 getting up just before 5. So we've watched the qualifying for the Australian grand prix. Yawn

So I'm back again, with the promised tales of my life. Aside from the TT regression and appalling sleep, all is well in DD1s life. Although she does want another baby sister, and now

DD2 is still a little treasure - feeding well and gaining weight now, and sleeping well too (Indith/Kiwi - close your eyes here) we've had a couple of nights where she has only woken once to feed between me going to bed at 10ish and getting up at 7 . I regularly wonder what I've done to deserve her and get up each day expecting this one to be Day When It All Changes. Our only problem is winding her, it is really difficult to get her to burp (or even fart it out), but if we don't she gets hiccups, pukes, grizzles and just is not comfortable and won't settle. Which means I spend 10 minutes feeding her and the rest of the hour trying to wind her. But we're not doing too bad, if that's the worst of our problems

Thanks for all your advice on bedtime routine, I'm getting better at it (although still haven't tackled bathing them both at the same time). I cleared the cot of toys and set up the mobile, so once DD2 is fed she can get put in there so I can do stories with DD1 ... except DD1 wants DD2 to join in with stories too, so we end up all sat round the cot anyway! To achieve this, I seem to spend my whole day calculating feeding times in my head, to end up with a feed at 6pm. Of course, DD2 loves to change my plans constantly, and cluster feed or nap for hours to make me recalculate again and again!

And now we've all got the lurgy, courtesy of DD1. She had an awful cough last weekend and got a really high temperature over night, so I took her to the Drs on Monday - nothing was wrong. I felt such a time waster, but he did point out that she hadn't been for exactly a year, so I'm not too much of a time waster after all. After more bad nights, she finally told us her ears hurt - so after one visit in a year, we ended up at the Drs twice in one week! Poor love has an ear infection, meanwhile the rest of us (DD2 included) have endless snot and hacking coughs. DH's, of course, is by far the worst. Quiet weekend this weekend for all of us I think

But enough about me (got carried away rambling on during the night feeds) ...

How did DDs sleep test go Indith? I'm also trying to use the school run to try and encourage a bit of a routine - but regretting now not sending DD1 everyday, we seem to be on a different timescale everyday for all the activities

J is all growed up, now she's decided to stop feeding Jolly, well done expressing for a week though, I was useless at expressing. How is L today?

Kayz if DP is on his way home, does that mean you're getting married v soon? Exciting!

Good luck with the packing Beans. I think there was a typo at the end of your last post - surely it should read 'wine wine', not 'whine whine', that will help you get through it!

Your village sounds very like mine LadyT . Hope you're enjoying trip no 2?

I hope the party is a success Sybs, if there is its bound to be! Will next week be calmer for you?

Hurrah for DS1 Vag, to be v good at one thing is pretty impressive, but at so many is ace. He is a credit to you

Happy mothers day to you all for tomorrow. I am forcing DH out to the shops this afternoon to get something for his Mum me, man flu or no man flu

Hello! Just en route to Bremen (not Hamburg, JB, but fairly close). Not even in London yet though!

Managed to have a row about money with DP just as I was leaving, which was a real shame. However, we've spoken on the phone now and it's ok.I'm not back until Monday teatime and DP has had Monday booked off for 6 weeks but his trial has overrun wildly so he's still in it, so he has to drive the girls up to my Mum's tomorrow so she can have them on Monday. I feel rather bad. But I do deserve a break and frankly I think it's good for everybody if I am away occasionally. I fear DD1 is massively dependent on me. And I find it super hard to leave the girls which tells me a little time away would be healthy.

ZJ, that is glorious about DD2's sleeping. Even if it changes, might as well enjoy it now! Shame about the illness though. Such a drag. We are in that brief window between viruses.

Vag, DS1 is brilliant. And such a smashing little lad, to boot. No wonder you are proud, I would be!

Beans, sorry you are under the cosh. And there was me wishing I was with someone LESS lazy - I guess it has its advantages. Anyway, your DH has made the rod for everyone's back with the packing so let him do the lion's share.

Talking about lions, I found DP showing the girls wildlife clips today, but of a lion about to marmalize some cheetah cubs. Honestly! I do wonder what goes through his mind sometimes. Apparently they are making gingerbread now though, so not all bad.

ZJ I'm scowling at you - a good night for DD2 is "only" 5 wake ups. Sob! I'm lying in bed with her now having gone to running club for first time in 4/5 years and utterly utterly exhausted. Ow ow! Won't be able to walk tomorrow! 9k is too much for my weary bones

Vag DD1 is a total star. So so clever.

And Bon voyage LadyT! Enjoy the very-well-deserved time away.

Thanks Ladies, but can you tell me if I should be a bit about this comment. I picked up DS1 from Chinese school and all his friends had jumped up when the teacher said class was finished, but DS1 stayed at the table and kept practicing his writing. I said to his teacher that it's because he loves the class and he's loves writing the radicals. But the teacher said "oh yes he likes trying to do it perfectly, but of course he is left handed so it is hard for him to do it properly"! I was miffed with her because a) she said it in front of him and b) he held up his work and it was perfect as far as I could see. Why do people give left handed people such a hard time. Maybe I'm just being sensitive. Anyhoo, I am most proud of his work ethic. I would rather a motivated, hard working boy, than a genius. He gets it all from his dad, I can't take any credit.

Lady I do agree it is a good idea to get away now and again, I think DS2 & I have a better relationship if I get a decent brake every now and again. I'm really appreciating my Tuesday & Friday mornings at the moment.

ZJ I think it is ok to not have the school run everyday. After DS2 was born DS1 started at school 3 mornings a week and it was nice having a couple of days where we all stayed home all day of we wanted. A few months later he went up to 5 mornings, and I think DS1 missed his little brother a bit. Even now I wish they had more time together as they love being around each other. Poor little DS2 nearly bursts out of his skin when DS1 comes out of school in the afternoon.

Kiwi, 9km, that's huge. Which club do you run with. I used to love running with a club, I should get into one here.

Kayz such sad news tonight for Bolton. Hoping F.M. is ok.

I know Vag. I'm quite glad we weren't watching it. I put it on but the boys moaned about cartoons so turned it off again. They've said the next 24 hours are critical. Hope he's going to be ok.

Happy Mothers' Day everyone! Hope everyone is being nice to you. DH has to work but contributed coffee and breakfast first, so he is in the clear. DS1 very sweetly asked me if I was having a happy day. He then added (rather gloomily) that he hoped DS2 wouldn't spoil it. 'The thing about DS2 is that he thinks every day should be HIS day.' So a student of human nature too .

Happy Mothers' Day! Hope you're all being spoiled rotten. I certainly have been (if you can count burnt hot cross buns for breakfast as being spoiled rotten). Got my first proper handwritten & handmade card which was nice. Even DD managed to sign her own name - v impressed as she's only a few months behind DS in the handwriting stakes (although that probably says more about DS than DD to be fair). Not in the same league as Mr Fancy Pants MasterVag1 though!

Congrats Indith on your bundle of joy. You sound like you're taking it all in your stride.

Sorry to hear all your sad news spot, Invis & JB. spot have you spoken your sis yet?

LadyT v jealous of your budget airline odyssey. I miss city breaks. And solo travelling. We are pushing the boat out and having a weekend at a holiday park near Great Yarmouth over Easter but what I'm really desperate for is some sunshine. Such a shame I'm working the day you are here as it's really not far from me. I quite often cycle over that way - it's only about 40 mins or so on the bike. Doesn't look like lunch is an option though (unless you were thinking of coming into town). What time does DP normally finish for the day? I could bob over to you after work no prob (I can finish at 4). Would be fab to see you.

Vag you mentioned ages ago you might be over next weekend. Are you still coming?

Effie DS1 is sounding very grown up! How is he enjoying school at the moment?

Beans hope the move goes well and your tightarse of a DH regrets every moment of tedium & pain mwahahaha

As usual I've run out of time before I've finished - who knows when I'll get back on but I do have the day off on Thursday so maybe then. Must try harder.

Hi ladies, special hello to PD lovely to 'see' you. We are coming over I think, but have been quiet about it as I don't know for how long. DS1 has Chinese school on Saturday until 2.30 and I don't want him to miss a class as he has only just started and I'm expecting that we will miss a few classes over the next few months if we have some camping trips. DS1 has a few spare days off school so we can stay until late on Monday but DH has to be back for a client on Tuesday. so long story short, we are trying to decide if its worth going for just a few days or whether we should give him the day off Chinese school and come over Friday.

the big reason for us coming over is because DH has decided to quit his job and he wants to tell his boss (who is London based) in person. He hasn't had definite talks or anything with the people who want him, they are being a little slow as they are quite busy it seems. But he has spoken to a recruiter who has got some contracts he could put him up for and is confident that if the other contract doesn't fit then the work he has going will be keep him busy. He has a 2 month notice period so we are pretty confident that something will come up contract wise by then. He will tell his boss next week then his notice period has to start from the start of next month. (Stupid rule in his company).

So anyway that's all exciting, but I'm not sure I could manage to fit in a catch-up unless it was Monday morning. I am back in August for the Olympics and will try to stay for a decent amount of time. If I was able to come for longer this time its probably a bit late notice to get you all in on the Friday night anyway I guess.

DS1 is 5 tomorrow!!!!! I can't believe he's getting so grown up. I have been making him a plane cake!

The olympic torch is going to be going past my mums house!!! I am really hoping I can go see it but it is 3 days before I am due.

Hope you are all ok.

Hello all, just popping on to update on the S poo situation. Well all the recommendations of movicol, we should have heeded sooner. Started her on that 10 days ago, within 3 days she was back to 2-3 poos a day in the loo, now virtually back to normal. She knows when she needs to go and takes herself off - often at pretty short notice, but frankly who cares as long as she gets there! Also have been making a huge fuss of her, princess knickers every day, chcolate coins id she's clean all day at nursery, and my goodness life is so much better for all concerned! Wet the bed last night, but really that is as nothing compared to having to shower her down in the middle of the night... So thanks very very much too all of you for your advice, poo books (oh how I laughed when my boss looked over my shoulder to see an email from Nolda entitled "Mr poo goes to pooland" ) and general encouragement.

As ever, will try my best to catch up tomorrow but big hugs to you all my lovelies.

Ooh that's exciting about DH jacking in his job Vag! Handing in my notice is just about my favourite thing in the world.

Shame it doesn't look like we'll get to see you till August. Oh well I'd arranged to go out with DP's mates on Friday anyway which would be a bit awkward to get out of even though I'd just as soon give it a miss.

Evening all,

I am in the middle of the 'Most Boring Work Project Ever'. Hence I've popped in .

JJ That is wonderful news! I was wondering how you were getting on. Hurrah and long may it last.

vag Well done DS1! It is fabulous to be able to speak and write different languages. I'm rubbish at them so am extra impressed at those who can get their heads around it. My DH is left handed and the first time I saw him write was to sign his name at a checkout. Before the days of chip and pin! He holds his hand sort of bent round from the top, it is hard to explain but I'm ashamed to say I laughed as I thought he was larking about writing in a odd way . Being left handed is no draw back to nice writing though. DH's is lovely although he is sad to not be able to write with a fountain pen without smudging!

Oh and exciting about your DH's job. Would you stay in the Netherlands?

kayz Hope the plane cake looks good.

PD Nice to hear from you. What does DS think of DD being able to write? I used to piss my brother right off learning to do things just after he did!

Effie Your DS1 sounds wise beyond his years.

ZJ I remember trying to do the same thing with the timing feeds. They do like to change their minds and do something mad like nap for too long or want feeding twice in an hour to mess things up . Hope you are all feeling better.

LadyT How was Germany? It must be lovely doing lots of little trips. Fancy your DP showing them such a barbaric clip! My friend's DH showed their son pictures of people with frostbite when he refused to put his coat on when it was snowing .

I'm still not quite resigned to DD2 stopping bf . I expressed today at work because I felt like I was busting. She is showing no interest in it though, I suppose that is the deciding factor really. The longer she goes without the less likely it is she is suddenly going to change her mind.

On an entirely unrelated point. She is yet to try and pull up or cruise. She is almost 13 months, corrected age she is nearly 11 months but she doesn't bear weight on her legs very well. She doesn't crawl either but can shuffle about on her bottom. I'm not worried about the not walking/crawling but starting to be a bit concerned about not bearing weight on her legs.

JB: worth talking to your HV? I seem to remember that bum shufflers tend to be late walkers as they don't feel they need to get more mobile. Stopping bfing was a sad time for more, even though I had decided to stop. Pesky hormones don't help either, so take it easy on yourself :).

Vag: I am very impressed by your trilingual boy (quatralingual if you count music :)) . DS1 is a lefty too, but his school haven't mentioned it other than to note that he writes with his left hand. So yah boo sucks to his Chinese teacher. I was thinking about the absences from the thread too: for me it's a bit of a circle. If there aren't as many posts I don;t check as frequently and in the end I seem to stop posting. It's a bit like those friends who you might not see for ages but when you do you immediately feel that close bond. But like those friends it can be easy to get lazy and neglect the friendship (am looking firmly at myself here with a raised eyebrow). I know I feel very comfortable with you loons lot but that might mean that I am less conscientious, which is a bit crap of me. Also I don't know about everyone else, but I don't read/post on the wider MN at at nowadays as I just don't have the patience to deal with rude people.

PD: lovely to hear from you. Though DS1 has flashes of insight, I can assure you he spends most of his time talking about being Spiderman. MIL got him some DVDs the last time she visited and both boys are obsessed. Now the weather's brightening up, do you want to meet in the park one weekend? Maybe we could drag Jam over too.

Lady: will talk with DH about getting sprung to visit you in your posh hotel, but things are a bit up in the air at the moment as his grandma is not well so he may be heading up to Lincolnshire to see her.

Anyway, I need to get back to doing some work...

Vag your ds sounds fab. I love how easily they just absorb language when they are young (bit of a linguistics geek). He'll be fine being a lefty. Ds is one too, I'm always a bit when people comment on it. I suppose it does cause problems in some areas but they soon learn a way round it. Ds has trouble doing dot to dots and drawing triangles as his hand covers the bit he has already drawn so instead of lifting and moving his hand to do the next bit he does a big curve .

JB I'd check with the HV but wouldn't worry. Check just to make sure it isn't due to hypermobility or something but 13 months is still opn the early side for walking really, start to worry if she isn't doing it by 2!

JJ great news on the poo!

ZJ

Dd had her sleep test, not heard back from it yet.

Ds spent last 2 nights refusing to be put down at all (we co-sleep so not exactly a problem but he had to be cuddled in and my arm kept going dead!) He just spent the whole night grunting and wriggling like he had wind but nothing ever came of it. I am replacing sleep with carbs and sugar. I know he is only 2 weeks and 1 day old so not like he had time to form any habits yet but he had been sleeping so wll at night! I was feeling blessed! Bloody hell it is hard reminging yourself that they are so little and it will change very soon when you are knackered! We survived day one of dh being back at work though but I am very glad that this week and next he is doing 3 days as he has leave to use up. Bloody hell after that it is Easter holidays and I will have all 3 dcs full time! AND dd's school is moving into a new building so they have an extra 3 days holiday either side .

PD you do make me giggle. I mostly feel bad when I give notice, because it is usually in employment where they are very understaffed. I cried when I left a school nurse post I had in east London, still one of the best jobs in the world that one. But I do remember the day I resigned from my Uni part time job as a short order cook in a restaurant. I hated the shift manager and he was being a wanker. So I said that's it, I'm leaving and stormed off. Not sure that they really had much trouble filling the 2, 4 hour casual shifts I did a week, but it felt very exhilarating, at the time.

Effie, I'm still giggling about your DS1's sombre mothers day message. DS2 is currently channeling spiderman. I told him today he is not to climb on the cubby house roof while he was out in the back garden. He said "no, I'm not dressed as spiderman now".

JB wouldn't hurt to get her legs looked at, but as someone else said, could be that she is hypermobile, which will help when she takes up yoga. But right now she may not feel comfortable or unstable when she is weight bearing. DH is hypermobile like much of his family and his sisters youngest didn't walk until late and even then only walked steadily when he was wearing heavy toddler boots.

Has anyone's Dec 08 who had stopped napping, started napping again. DS2 is currently back to needing a nap at least 3 times a week. And when he goes, he literally just drops off next to me on the couch (it is during 'Bargain hunt' which could have something to do with it. He always did like his nap but he never used to drop off so easily. He is also back to wetting the bed a couple of nights a week, so I'm not sure if tiredness has something to do with that.

Indith, sorry about the reduced sleep comfort for you, cuddling a wee baby all night isn't exactly comfy. DS1's school is also moving. They will have a temporary home about 5 mins ride from here, while their school gets rebuilt into a shiny new one. So I'll be back to having a proper school run. The good news is it's on the way to DS2's nursery, and near some nice shops to pop into on the way home. They are having a half day tomorrow, then are off school while they do all the moving, then back next Wednesday for a 'bye bye Abeelstraat' party and a symbolic walk over to the new school. Very montessori. I'm quite excited about the demolition of the old building as we will have a birds eye view. DS2 is going to love all the trucks.

JB yes for now we will stay put, jobs would be more prevalent in London, but our mortgage is half of what the London place is and the boys school is free here. Although I'm not working and I could in London we would still have to pay loads for childcare (though soon it will be mostly before & afterschool). Eventually when DS2 is in school I'm might look for something part time, but I think I could be pursued into being a lady of leisure. I do love being able to drop them off and pick them up (or maybe that's just an excuse not stay home and eat chocolate and drink coffee all day).

Thanks vag and Indith. Not heard of hypermobility before but after a quick Google it might be that. I am remarkably bendy with oddly turning elbows! She sits quite comfortably with her legs in strange positions. I'll try and get her to a hv clinic this week.

IIRC about 10% of the population is hypermobile to some extent, but only 1% of those have problems with it (such as hypermobility syndrome).

My family is pretty hypermobile. I get some joint pain, started as bad growing pains as a child but I still get it at times. Rare now though. DS who is pretty bendy and was a late walker gets terrible growing pains so i am keeping a close eye on him. My sister is verry hypermobil;e and also has the syndrome, fibromyalgia, IBS and pretty much everything else that often gies with fybro and HMS.

A Surestart centre the other side of durham just restarted a bf support group so I am going along as a peer supporter. This side of durham it is mostly very naice, white, middle class, crusty, lentil weavery women from the nicer bits of our area. The othe surestart is in what is seen as a rough area, it is an odd area as it is walking distance from the city and university but had some big council estates back in the day. It has some nice streets and some horrible ones side by side and attracts most of the immigrant (well actually they are mostly foreign students, NIgerian computer science phd students and the like). The group I went to today was so different from the one over this side with various nationalities and colours of skin. It was so nice to see!

That might sound odd to most of you but up her in the North East while we are getting a lot of Poles/Russians/other slavic people we have traditionally had very little immigration (because immigrant groups might have wanted ot come to the UK for jobs but they were not daft enough to come down the mines) so there is very little diversity and most of what there is is due to the university. My kids will be the ones going "why is that man black?" if they don't get out more!

Indith its the same here really. We have a few Chinese families. The family that run the Cantonese restaurant are fabulous and DS1 is often learning how to say things in Chinese from them.

DP is good friends with the men who run the Indian. They are from Leeds but originally their parents are Indian.

But that's all really. A few Russians live here too. I do worry sometimes about there being no diversity here at all.