March 2010 - Our Terrific Terrible Twos will be big siblings

[PacificDogwood]

I hope nobody minds, but I went and started a new thread .

Sorry, headgirls!

midlands in aug good for me x

waves to all x :)

Copy/pasted from another thread to save precious time!:

So, Baby arrived at 1.45am yesterday, only 9lb 1oz. He's very sleepy and congested thanks to a rapid labour again (once it finally started - I had indeed SROM'd on the morning of the 17th (yes, his due date)). Waters going but no contractions was a blessing, it meant I got two lots of antibiotics onboard (i'm gbs+) although after six hours and a sweep of nothing doing they started talking about synto drip which I said I was very keen to avoid (worried about hyperstimulation given once I start its usually quick). It wasn't until after two vigorous (read: ouch) sweeps further and around half an hour before they were gonna call time on waiting that my body finally agreed to play ball...

That was at 11.30pm when I was a 'firm, 4cm. Not a good labouring 4cms'. DF had to leave at 11.15 as we were out of childcare/time for DS2 - he's never spent a night away from both of us and as much as DF wanted to be with me I was worried about DS2 and in my mind his needs were more pressing than mine. Pain came on hard and fast and midwife offered me pethidine. I've had two good experiences with it but thought there might not be enough time between getting it and baby arriving for it to clear his system so asked for a half dose. Midwife sais 'based on what i've just seen from your last exam (at 11) I'd be happy for you to have a full one'. I went with my gut and the lower dose. And, sure enough, he arrived an hour and 45mins later.

I don't recognise him! I think, I was really expecting him to look like DS2 (even though I hadn't given it much conscious thought) and he really doesn't! He's very dark/red skinned, lots of black hair. And sleepy. Because obviously the pethidine is in his system. You'd think I'd take the opportunity to rest/sleep but I'm fretting he's sleeping too much, not eating enough (he keeps throwing up as full of mucous from the quick birth)... and I can't switch off until I literally pass out. So I'm running on 6 hours sleep in the last 58 hours give or take. Actually don't feel too bad (post delivery rush of hormones and andrenaline, I thank you!) but know the crash will come (fully expect to be weepy tomorrow).

And I may not recognise him, but I do adore him...

Yey and congratulations manda on your beautiful stranger :) well done for trusting yourself too. Are you in hospital? I hope you get some rest x

Congratulations Ruby and Manda! How lovely that your little ones are now with you. I hope you're getting to enjoy the tiny stage despite everything.

Well done and congratulations Manda, I hope you've managed to get some sleep and are enjoying your new little boy. Lots of new baby boys on the thread! I have my 20w scan on Thursday so hopefully I'll find out if Izzy will be getting a brother or a sister.

I'm posting from sunny Croatia :) although after today there are rain and thunderstorms forecast for the next few days, and my poor SIL and her boyfriend are arriving tonight.

siamese that's very cute about the book-reciting, Izzy quotes some books too, but is mainly obsessed with Tree Fu Tom at the moment. And she quotes lines and songs from the film Tangled.

Oh well, must get showered and head to the beach. It's a hard life

CONGRATULATIONS manda- fab news hope u have had some well deserved sleep and new baby boy is settling well into famoly life x

Were off on our jollies early ties morning, so wont be around for acouple of weeks, sunny majorca just the 5 of us cannot wait :)

take care everyone x

manda great news! Well done! Hope you're enjoying newborn snuggles with your new DS and that DS2 is enjoying having a new baby brother .

Ruby also hope things are going brilliantly with you as a family of 4!

Sarah enjoy your holiday! Am well jel as the weather in London is still overcast and cold!

MissP hope you're enjoying Croatia. And looking forward to hearing how the scan on Thurs goes.

Things great here. Got back last night from a weekend in Ireland - DD's first trip back there! - for my nephew's First Communion. Was lovely, though knackering. And we're now flooded with baby girl clothes! And DD had her 8 week jabs today. She cried a bit but seems fine now.

I love all the talk of a meet-up...it's just that we're planning to move to the US in Aug (or possibly Sept, still waiting for a final move date). Not sure if I've mentioned it to any of you before. My DH is American and we've decided that London, great as it is, is not where we want to raise our family. We're sick of getting on planes to see family - it'll just get harder/more expensive as the kids get older. We've talked vaguely for years about moving to the States but his company will now relocate us so the opportunity is too good to pass up (moving costs and visa for me and all that would be quite a lot of hassle to do ourselves). We're looking to move to the train commuter belt of Northern New Jersey (his parents are in South Jersey, just by Philly, so easy to get to them too).

Anyway, the summer is very busy with trips to various places to see various people before we move. Along with the Olympics of course (have quite a lot of family visiting for it) and a wedding in Cyprus in August. So I'll watch any meet up plans with interest and try and make it if I can

PS I've not told work yet so would appreciate if no one mentioned it on FB!

flip I'd totally be up for a meet in the States at the end of the year... Sounds like a great opportunity, if all I had was two littlies to relocate then I'd be jumping at it, I'm sure.

Really tired. Mostly because overnight James and new baby (still not finalised name!) seems to be double teaming me as to when they wake up. But on the whole, new baby is a dream compared to James (who did little but scream for... well, a long time).

Manda- Sooo many congrats!!! Well done!
Hope yr ok x

Up for midlands meet- can u put forward 8th or 18th aug?!

Somewhere on train line?!

X

I'd be up for a meetup, and oddly enough I'll be in/around Birmingham on the 18th of August.

We're just back from Croatia and pretty shattered, even though the flight was only 2.5 hours and Izzy slept through most of it. Travelling is just really tiring though. It's nice to be home anyway (until next week, when I'm taking Izzy up to Edinburgh).

Glad to hear the move to the US is going ahead Flip, how exciting.

Hope all the new, newish and not-so-new babies (and Mums!) are doing well. Scan tomorrow; I'll pop in after and update :)

Quick post from me; I'm soaking up some sun while Izzy splashes in her paddling pool. Scan went well, everything as it should be and it looks like Izzy will be getting a sister :)

Fab news, MissP! And I'm sure I called female from your 12 week scan picture... went by the 'nub theory'.

Aw. Sisters. Have you begun to show yet and does Izzy have any idea at all that another baby is joining the clan? James would hug my belly and say 'baaaaaaaby' when asked where it was, but I didn't think he really understood. Maybe he did though as in the days following the birth when I still looked pregnant he didn't do it to my belly anymore but to the baby.

In other news, James and DS1 also have measles now. Grim times here!

Great news MissP . Delighted for you!

Flying visit. BIG congrats to Manda (name???? NAAAAMMMME???? ahem sorry)

Lovely news to you too MissPenteuth

And to you too Ruby Gorgeous names.

Ooops Manda - missed the measles thing. So sorry - what an awful thing to be happening to you.

Hi everyone, I'm finally finished with all our travelling for the next year or so little while. It's been lovely to see everyone but even a short journey with a toddler is exhausting. So it's nice to be home :)

How is everyone? Manda I hope everyone's gotten over the measles and you're all enjoying the newest addition to the family. And you did indeed correctly predict that DC2 was a DD2. I had thought the same re: nub theory, but wasn't 100% sure that what I was seeing in the photo actually was the nub iykwim.

sarah lovely holiday pics on FB, looks like the kids had a great time.

Dalrymps how are you? Can't be too long now!

The MN March 2010 FB group had dissolved (FB did something weird to their groups I think), I've added as many as I could remember that hadn't already been re-added, but if I've missed anyone let me know. Positive response to the Midlands MMMM so far, potential date is August 18th, possibly at Birmnigham Botanic Gardens, if anyone else is interested. It's funny to think how tiny the DCs were when we met in York back in Nov 2010.

Hey all-

back from a fab holiday - all had a brilliant time,

Miss p- another daughter how very lovely x

flip- goodluck with the big plans to move to the states- hope all goes smoothly x

Manda- boo to the measles- hope there not suffering too much

hi to everyone else

Afternoon all, hope everyone's well :) Dalrymps I've seen your laments on FB and the overdue thread in Pregnancy, so sending you lots of labour vibes. Hope you're snuggling your new little boy soon.

I have a question for everyone: potty training (ok, that's not a question, but anyway). I'm thinking about starting potty training in a few weeks (we've got some visitors next week so I want to wait until after that so we can stay in the house for the first few days). I've ordered a book for Izzy to read, with a sticker reward chart, I bought The No-Cry Potty Training Solution as well but tbh the guide on here seems just as useful (and more succinct!). I'm going to let her choose some nice pants and we'll just see how it goes. And I'll stock up on cleaning products as well (good times). Anyone else done it yet, or thinking about it? Or tips and experiences from older DCs?

missP I think the most important thing when it comes to potty training is that they seem ready for it. Is Izzy aware of when she needs changing, or do you notice her noticing that she's 'going'? If she shows absolutely no awareness thusfar, then it is worth giving it a go anyway (especially as girls tens to potty train earlier and easier than boys) but you'll know within a day or so whether you're wasting your time and to wait a bit longer for her to be ready.

It's been a lot of years since I PT'd Dd and DS1, but I do remember that initially, yes we stayed in. The potty was in the living room so that it was very immediately available. And I had them naked from the waist down. As soon as they begun to wee, I scooped them up 'you need a wee wee (or whatever phrase of choice you're going to use)' and put them on the potty. They make the connection pretty quickly (when ready) that when their bodies feel the way it does before the wee wee that they should get to the potty. Once that realisation is made, then the pants can go on.

James isn't showing any signs of giving a hoot about the fact he needs changing and I'm not worried about it just now - especially as I can't just jump up to transfer him to the potty with a newborn in my arms most of the time (who I spent the night with in hospital last night! I'm not having much luck with the health of my brood lately!). I'm thinking of starting him off at the end of summer if he's not showing signs before as my arms should hopefully be slightly free-er!

Good luck!

hello miss p- were also thinking potty training is on the cards- Elliott has taken to ripping his toursers and nappy off if its wet or dirty-! the mess is horrific- the middle of a shopping centre is not fun either:)

so we bought him a new potty yesterday (he refueses the two we have already got) he will wear pants but tends to wet them= so like manda- naked from the waist down- keep sitting him on/ asking do u need a wee Elliott! we will get there soon enough -

if i am honest tho- i would rather put it off its the last time im ever going to do this and my baby will be gone and a big boy he will be :(

Its one of the worst times imho- but has to be done- once they get it its pretty plain sailing the key is tho- they are ready

goodluck i will look out for the updates x

She does tell me when she's got a dirty nappy - the best one was on the flight to Montenegro, she stod up just as we were taking off and shouted "I done a poo you change my boppum now!". Not so much with wees but I'm hoping, as Manda mentioned, that once she's weeing in a potty (or in her pants, or on the floor) she'll learn to associate that with the feeling of needing to go. At the moment we've been asking her if she wants to use her potty before her bath, but she says "no, I just use nappies". I'm hoping this book I've got her might get her enthused. We'll see how it goes anyway. I'll keep you posted with ranting about cleaning floors, probably :)

Oops, forgot I'd changed my name. It's MissP here, in case that wasn't obvious from my post

day two of potty training here- were probably- 50/50- he wont tell me he needs to go but will tell me when he has been! i keep asking him to come sit and try and he will everytime we will get there eventually x x x

i am impressed as a week ago he would not even sit on the potty- i got a new one from the shops on sat and he loves it x

Think we'll attempt PT in the summer holiday when DH is about, so one of us can see to DD and one can hold DS. He's still refusing to be put down. We've got potties and pants, just need time!

We started PT today, just because we bought some knickers with cats on this morning and she wanted them on. So we skipped our library trip and stayed in the garden this afternoon, drank loads and she just took herself off to use the potty without saying anything. She's been watching the others at nursery so she knew what to do, and really we should've started earlier but I want to get last weeks holiday over with first. So so far so good.. No poos yet, this is what I'm a bit concerned about because she's a bit ahem 'loose' at the mo due to the french water. Should be an experience anyway! She's still not the most verbal toddler so I'm not surprised really she didn't tell me she wanted to go but just did it herself. Having a dress on helped I think.

Fingers crossed for tomorrow for everyone training x