April 2011 - silence might be golden but the April ladies are diamond so chat on

[GlaikitFizzog]

Ta Dah!

Oh ecuse, that sounds absolutely horrendous. Have a and virtual hug. You must be exhausted.

so...

While doing the usual pat pat pat, lullaby, no, mummy is not playing the raspberry game with you, I'm leaving the room now, bedtime game (repeat up to 10 times) H fell asleep after two returns completely by himself! Then he slept 8-6.30!!! This is mega sleep in our house, am in sleep shock.

I spoke to my mum, she's doing so well considering how stressful grandma's death must have been. They're cremating her in France tomorrow, my grandpa is leaving the house for the first time in months to travel to France and be there. It's too tricky for us to get there and one of my aunts and sisters can't go either, but we're having a memorial for her in a couple of weeks so we can all be there.

It feels so surreal.

ecuse what a nightmare for you! With the night weaning, we were about to consider it when T got poorly a month ago and so we abandoned it. Now that he is better, his sleep has improved massively and we are only getting one quick wake up at about 3, apart from that he sleeps 8-7ish fairly reliably. I hope you get a similar thing!
Very pleased you now have an empty chuff, so to speak

Cycle I'm so sorry about your grandma :( And your poor grandad. Thinking of you and all your family.
And well done H for sleeping so well!
Have I missed a post somewhere - are you not going back to work now? Or is it just in limbo?

Sounds like T and H could slug it out - T is 23lbs but I think shorter than H by the sounds of things. People are always shocked when they pick him up because he is so heavy.

UWB - we had a tea party with as many of the GPs as could make it for DS1's first birthday. Not sure with T, we are having his naming party here 3 days before his birthday, which actually DH's Mum and step-Dad can't make it to, so we may invite them to come for tea on his birthday and see if my parents want to come up again if they aren't busy.
You will be shocked at how emotional you feel on F's birthday. I spent the morning totally lost in thought about the day of DS1's birth and really felt quite raw in a way. It has made me think quite differently about birthdays altogether actually, which sounds very bizarre and melodramatic!

NBG - glad DP has apologised, sounds like really odd behaviour.

Ali - I totally know what you mean about birthdays. Makes me wonder if my Mum was always thinking that whilst I was just worrying about what presents I was going to get

Cycle - :(

DD was awake in the night, that's 3 nights in a row, yawn. And DS2 got up at 4.30 today, urgh.

So...AF....was due ont he 3rd. Sort of started on the 4th, but not really here still I cannot be pg, 99.9% sure
Must be some weird hormonal thing, I hope!

So sorry about the death of your Grandma Cycle, I hope you can remember her with a smile tomorrow, and the idea of a memorial is a great one. Also sorry to hear about the arseholes at your ex employers. Sometimes it's just not worth the fight or energy is it?

Glad to hear the bugs are on their way out Ecuse, and phew about the coil being where it should. Boo about the house falling through though. Fingers crossed the right buyer is just around the corner.

I know just what you mean about the dc's birthdays JKS and Ali. I wake up on the boys birthdays and I travel right back to the days of their birth. it's really emotional, in a lovely and overwhelming way.

Are you going to POAS JKS?

We just had to go for it when ttc baby I. We could always find reasons not to, but the reasons to do it where stronger. Ds1 was unexpected , we didn't really try for ds2, then ds3 we dilly dallied for a while but then I was pg straight away so the decision was made before we could change our minds! My advice would be, if you want another and you can clothe and feed them, then do it.

I have just done another run and I am sitting here sweating like a pig [attractive]. dh is in the bath with the boys so I can't have a shower until they are out and I have put ds3 to bed. The runs are getting easier and I am getting fatster, but I am defo built for comfort and not speed. I may even be able to see my waist emerging again!

Forgot to mention I took H out for a bike trailer ride yesterday! Was so fun. We stayed off-road as I worry they're too low for cars to see but had such a good time going round the parks near our house.

I'm now officially unemployed Ali, tWas a sticky situation now resolved.

I'm already getting emotional about H's birthday (5 April). I think because of grandma passing away as well, I keep thinking about this time last year. She bought me a fab maternity dress I wore constantly. My sisters and I took H to see my grandparents just before she left for France. I'm so glad we did that, he won't remember it, but I will.

Cycle sorry to hear the news about your grandma. And the job.

We're still working on the self settling thing, and not feeding all through the night as I'm back at work in about 5 weeks and I can't function on rubbish sleep. One feed a night I could handle... it's happened before, it can happen again. We've also got nursery settling in mornings organised starting at the end of the month, I feel I'm on the last stretch of my leave :(

On a happier note M is having a joint birthday party with her friend who was born the day before who we met in her dad's arms while I was in labour at the MLU. We thought it was easier than having 2 parties and inviting the same baby friends to both. We've got the local church hall booked, organised to borrow the toddler group toys and just need to sort buffet and drinks, and a million other things.

The trailer ride sounds fab Cycle

Just seeing you on here Chilli reminds me that I had a dream about you the other night. baby I and I came to your house and I stole a nail varnish from you when you went to the kitchen to make a cup of tea T'was a nice colour though, a sort of sable colour

Aw Chilli, try and focus on enjoying these last 5 weeks at home, rather than dreading the return to work

Cycle, sorry about your Grandma, so sad.

Yay about the bike ride! We've got a Wee Ride, but so far F has only whinged in it! Hoping he starts enjoying it when it's a bit warmer.

OutMe, is it scan-day tomorrow?!

Ecuse, you've had a tough time, hoping the house situation goes well.

Ali, sadly I'll be at work on F's birthday, unless the unions strike again! (everyone vote to strike, please!). Added to which DH & my parents are all divorced, not talking & 200 miles away. So really not sure what to do.

I might organise something at the local softplay for his mates, but I don't want to entertain a stream of GPs, especially since DH works weekends & I work all week. Maybe if I invite them all just for a lunch on one day, none will come?! I want it just to be the 3 of us, I think...

Cycle sorry I hadn't grasped that you had walked away completely

What is your plan, or are you just letting the dust settle?

Ilike well done on the running!

chilli :(

JKS - I haven't got AF back yet, not even a twinge or a sign of ovulation or anything.

So, that's why I don't have any sable colour nail varnish ILike - you stole it ;) actually I don't have any. Got some silver, and other sparkly ones, not that it gets used much. I did get a manicure and pedicure on Christmas eve but badly smudged my fingernails before even getting home (was in a rush as M wasn't well).
Don't worry, will enjoy my last few weeks, and even then I'm only going to be working mornings, I can still meet up with friends and their babies in the afternoons, though they're all going back soon too. And thanks for all your advice on the sleep thread, DH is off next week so we're going to make a consistent effort then.

Good luck with the sleep thing Chilli, the main thing is to be consistent I think.

Well I've had 2 or 3 AFs since having M, I will check my tracker app later, cycles have been 31/32 days. So I'm about 3 or 4 days late which isn't lots in the big scheme of things, and still BF so it could just be a readjustment. I hope!
Though part of me wouldn't mind as then it'd be happening, if that makes sense, no more dithering yes or no for number 4.
Just really don't want a small gap again (sorry OutMe!), with 3 already to look after.
I can't be, it would be some bizarre miracle of jumping sperm or something

I honestly have no idea what I'm going to do. I have to earn something but I feel completely adrift. I've not been unemployed ever before. I started working the week before my 20th birthday and turn 30 in September. It's all bizarre.

POAS JKS, I can't stand the tension!!!

You're in publishing aren't you, cycle? Sorry it didn't end well Have you considered going freelance?

outme scan already?! Wow!

Ali no AF here either, yet. It's not helping the decision making process!

JKS POAS just to be sure

ilike that's an utterly bizarre dream. Are you sure you aren't upduffed too?

UBW that sounds like a difficult family situation. I think it just being the 3 of you is a lovely idea and you can always stagger other celebrations. Or could you have 2 sets of 2? Fathers one weekend/day and mother's the next?

I have no idea what we're doing but I've started buying prezzies! I'm good at that.

I know there are people I've missed. Micropost round 2 coming up.

How did I miss about your Grandma cycle. I'm so sorry glad H met her at least.

chilli I've got a load if matchsticks if you want. I'd clearly blanked anything to do with sleep from my mind. Broken sleep is just torture.

ecuse I hope you do manage to find a buyer soon and hold on to the other house. It must be nerve wracking but fingers crossed for you.

Hi everyone

Oh ecuse how utterly horrendous. Good luck with the flat.

Thinking of you today cycle

Well done on the running *

Yep it's scan day and I don't feel at all excited just scared there's nothing there as the only real symptom is twinges.

For s's 1st birthday we are hiring somewhere with a bar ad there will be loads of grown ups. We have about 73 people to invite.

Oooooh, scan day Outme! So, so exciting!

I was indeed in publishing but I'm not sure whether I want to stay in the business. I'm considering a complete change. I'm actually looking into cycle training as a job. It's around two days a week of school hours, I already teach so have CRB clearance, and I'm obsessed with promoting cycling so works on a lot of levels.

Good luck for the scan OutMe. Every time I have gone for the 12 week scan I have been shitting it and half expected them to say there was nothing there and I was having a phantom pregnancy - despite the fact I have had raging sickness every time!

I like the idea of a change Cycle. Do you mean what was called cycling proficiency when I was a young lass? We were taught how to ride safely on the road when we were at primary school and we got a badge and certificate [proud emoticon]

We are all off out to a coffee morning today, and bil is here plumbing in the en suite. If all goes well, by tomorrow I will be able to Christen the new loo. But more importantly I can buy 'stuff', towels, loo roll holder etc etc.

Good luck OutMe today

Pretty sure AF is here phew

Hello everyone. All is well. One little baby in there. I'm 11 weeks which I knew but it means it was too soon for nuchal so have to go back again next fri

Outme how exciting! Extra scans are always fab, I had to have loads with T for various reasons and it was brilliant

That's great outme :) how exciting.

Sleep wasn't too bad last night. She still screamed when DH tried to settle her, but we gave up sooner and I fed her. We then got a 5 hour stretch. I'm thinking as she's tiny (don't think she's even 17lbs yet, but is 1 at the end of the month) but active maybe she does need an extra feed in the night - at least until she's eating better - still doesn't seem to eat meat.

OutMe - yey, well done :)

Chilli - DD has recently got very into ham and cold chicken, often meat is one of the last things they try from memory.

AF definitely here, ouch. Definitely happy not to be pg, just yet

Hurray Outme, am still torn between admiration and jealousy.

It would indeed be cycling proficiency type stuff. Sounds almost too good to be true though as its so up my street so I'm having a good think about it all.

chilli, H is sleeping well but he still often needs a feed at 5amish, I too think he needs it, he's a string bean but very tall and he's just a very hungry boy. He's good with food but I gather from mum friends that his penchant for meat is unusual, it's the last thing their babies eat apparently.

Meat provides protein but I find H LOVES lentil based things, and they're also a good source. He loves veggie chilli with whole beans that can be pincered out with a finger and thumb.

Hello! I haven't fallen off the face of the earth! It's been mad and I don't really know with what.

Cycle I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandma :( and your job [shits], but I hope your cycling thing comes good. Tries to remember the horror of cycling proficiency and how she failed by nearly getting run down by a bus

OutMe so lovely to hear about your scan! I think I'm a tiny bit jealous that you are on that road again. Not jealous enough to give it a go mself mind, but I wouldn't mind my AF buggering off for a while.

I got caught at work with it I had to come home at lunchtime to change. I actually thought I'd wet myself

Ecuse hope you are all mended now and the ills give you a miss for a while. Good luck with the house buying. I'm used to the "Scottish" system and can never really work out what the English one is all about, but it seems really stressful!

We are having an "open house" at my mums for Bs birthday, dad is hoping it's a nice day so he can fire up the BBQ (I know Aberdeen isn't really known for it's BBQ weather in April). I'll just say to everyone who we might think will want to come to come between x & y and see who turns up. Mum and dad have a huge back garden so if it's nice we'll have garden party!

Ali thank you for sharing your experience. If you don't mind can I ask how long it was before you felt the ADs were making a difference? That's me been taking them a week and I do feel my mood has lifted, but I'm not sure if it's the ADs or the fact that I'm not going and coming home from work in the dark. It could also be down to DH being off work with me last week and we got lots of the "little" jobs done so my to do list is about half of what it was and feel less of weight around my neck.

We've been having the 5am wake ups, only B will not settle back down. We did take him in with us one morning and it was like trying to put ferrets in a sack, arms and legs everywhere :o So we have early mornings now. He seems to be sleeping less through the day too. But seeing as he seemed to sleep for Scotland before I'm not too concerned!

Congratulations if you've made it this far in my epic post!! and

Glad you're feeling better Fizz, it could be the psychological effect of knowing you're tackling the problem. I've never taken ADs but have had problems with depression before and even though I cried when telling my GP I needed help after a serious crash years ago (was given counselling) I felt so much lighter after the appointment because I'd finally done something about it.