March 2011 mums, entering our 2nd year with our 'Babies'!!

[Purplefan]

Hi all,
Thought I'd take the plunge and set up a new thread for us...never done it before so hope it works.

Will be back later to update properly, have busy day as DH is off on a track day on his motorbike and DD1 has already been driving me insane, it has only just gone 9am!!! xx

[pettyprudence]

Everso We've done flying and Arthur was fine - no ear popping or anything. He was mostly pissed off that he had to sit still for a while and was perplexed as to why people were sleeping and why couldn't he poke them when we walked up and down the aisle? How on earth would they coo and adore him they were sleeping????

We have also been having bib issues for a few months but have sort of settled on the ones with sleeves? I keep forgetting though as I got out of the habit of using them.

On another note, anyone got any advice on what to do with a baby/toddler that screams and screams and wriggles every nappy change? Its started 9 months ago (A used to love nappy changes before that) and I just gritted my teeth and though "this too shall pass" but it hasn't effing passed. Pull ups no good either as I still have to catch the little bugger and hold him still. He's not easily distracted either. I dont think there is a solution - will just have to keep my fingers crossed he is an early potty trainer

Back to early wake ups - me or DH take Arthur down to the living room, put on CBBC's, get a load of toys out, lock the door (so he can't escape - but we are in there with him!), and curl up on the sofa to (hopefully) doze some more

[Kagey]

Petty dd2 hates nappy changes too and runs away when anyone tries to change her. We've tried giving her a toy to hold, singing and persuading dd1 to try and make her laugh. But my word the screams go right through you . Oddly though she will whinge as soon as she has done a poo as she must find it uncomfortable, but hates having it changed. Dd1 could have quite happily sit in it for ages at that age .

[Lozario]

nappy changes Lara isn't a big fan either... Although she now tries to get a wipe to clean herself?! When he does a poo she holds her nappy and says "puuu"- it's v cute!

[pettyprudence]

Arthur would prefer to sit in poo all day long than have his nappy changed. The minute the whole transaction is complete though he's a happy bunny again. Arrghhh. I keep telling him to get over it because we have got yeaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrs to go yet!

[Lozario]

petty maybe you can convince him to potty train early - my grandma SWEARS that my mum was potty-trained at 10 months??!!!

[highlandbird]

aaaah, another one who HATES having his nappy changed here, I literally have to pin him down so that he doesn't get poo everywhere and he screams and kicks, its awful, bizarrely when anyone else looks after him and I'm not there they say he lies on his back motionless and smiling, grrrrrr!!!
And thats us back to reality with a bump after our amzing wedding weekend as well, SIL looked after Angus for a night and we went off on the motorbike in the pissing rain and had a lovely evening to ourselves. The campervan trip was a disaster, we fell out after one night and drove 7 hours home the next day :( I had come down with tonsilitis so needed to see a doc for antibiotics, Angus has had a horrendous chest for the past 2 weeks and not stopped coughing, we're all still pretty ill and miserable here.....never mind! Hadn't really thought it through, when we went this time last year, A wasn't sleeping well but he was still in his moses basket and unable to move anywhere, and generally quite gurgly and good natured, now he's boisterous and energetic and has to climb EVERYTHING, so after 10 mins loose in camper had climbed onto settee, from there onto work surfaces, then standing on work surfaces opening cupboards, he pulled the knobs / buttons off everything, switched everything on and off, emptied the dogs bowls everywhere, it was really quite hellish, am now dreading a festval camping trip we've planned for the end of July, although there's less risk of him damaging himself in a tent I suppose!!!
Everso have a lovely trip, should have said to take lots of snacks to keep LO busy for an hour on the plane but you'll already be there by now.
A coughing and crying upstairs again now, better go and administer some cuddles. Anyone else finding this molar teething lark an absolute nightmare as well?? Seems to have been going on for months!!!

[highlandbird]

oh and wrt to early potty training, my friends LO hasn't done a poo in a nappy since she was 4 months old!!!!!!!!! she always does a poo the same time in the morning so gets sat on a potty while my friend has a shower / brushes teeth etc in the morning!!!! She's 10 months old now! Although she does live in thailand so doesn't need to wear many clothes hardly ever has a nappy on anyway, and a VERY placid baby (who could sit up at an early age!)

[me23]

E wakes up at about 5am every day some days we are lucky and he wakes at 6. He still wakes in the night too. Very tired dealing with this and doing 12 hour shifts.

Still not walking yet. Anyone else's lo not walking? Dd don't walk till 16 months so not worried. He has stood unaided for a few seconds
recently so I think he may be getting ready.

[ckny1]

Oh how I needed the laugh and am grateful for this board! Very nice to see that we're not the only ones struggling with daily life here! :)

Me, sounds like E is very ready to walk, so you still have some moments of peace until the REAL fun begins! A friend's 18 month old just started after she was about to take him to a physiotherapist, but it happened when he was ready!

Lozario, wake ups are between 6:30 - 7:30 here, but DH or I give him a small water bottle before 7 am if he whines to keep him hydrated until we're he's ready to wake up for the day.

Petty, my questions exactly wrt how Stealth manages with 3 under 5 and work, independent and active thinker, and so called "holiday"! Super mummy, for sure!

Two weeks ago Franz and I flew to DC to visit a friend with a pool and a 3 yo daughter. This was supposed to be the ultimate vacation for me as she had all the baby stuff so that I could travel light, AND she had a babysitter for us so that we could have free-ish time. He was an angel during the short flights (I bought a few new toys, but those were useless as he was more interested in the mechanics of the plane), but he DID NOT NAP or SLEEP without a fight each day! He was having too much fun with my friend's DD! :) Sadly, he was completely afraid of the pool, and held on to me for dear life. Also, instead of getting a break from him I ended up watching the 3 yo (who's lots of fun) and Franz as the babysitter watched me!? So another not so relaxing holiday...

Coming home I came down with the nastiest flu, high fever, sore throat/ears, chills (in 36 degree weather) which I'm still fighting. Needed sleep so desperately and couldn't get to it, though F was somewhat sympathetic. At last he caught my lovely disease and is now out of sorts and I'm not as sympathetic as he was b/c I'm still a mess!

On top of that, whenever his mouth is sore (from throat or teething), he can't keep food in so he hasn't had anything, save a couple spoons of puree, to eat for 2 days, no matter what I do. This frustrates me to no end, but at least he's drinking his milk and water.

Does anyone else feel that so much time is wasted when we or they are sick? I feel as though he hasn't had much time to develop, all he wants to do is cuddle and read (and whine).

[ckny1]

as if prev post wasn't long enough, but wanted to add with the nappy change that Franz hates having his poo nappy changed (will act like nothing happened, in fact he plays very quietly after a poo so that I know he's hiding something from me) and kicks, screams, etc. after several attempts at distractions (toys, peek-a-boo,...)

only thing that works is when i get him to say "up" and he lifts his legs up and says "uppppp" then tries to put slippers on his feet, which I pray don't get into the nappy.

Lozario, very cute that L says "puuuu"!!!!!

[StealthToddler]

ckny thanks for your comments as it really made me laugh! I am definitely struggling a lot of the time......and am sad to say have got really cross and shouty quite a bit recently (at the older ones who have been practising their tantrums!)

Most excitingly tho I have just had a bfp!!!! So march will be a busy month next year with ds2 and ds3 both march babies and this one looking like due date will be ds2 birthday!!!

Funnily enough before I even knew we had succeeded ds2 was going round saying "mummy has my little sister in her tummy and it will be when ollie is 2"..... Spooky!! If all goes well it will be 3 dc under 6....not sunk in yet. But dh has agreed I don't have to go back to work after this one and I have been wanting to stay with the kids for a while...

Have just spent the afternoon packing.... Off to Greece tomorrow morning for two weeks!!!!

Lovely to hear everyone's news- keep posting!!!

[JoJoB77]

Congratulations Stealth, lovely news!

[pettyprudence]

Congratulations Stealth and happy holidays!

I too have been a very shouty mummy recently (was just on my way to post on the behaviour board for some advice). Its slowly sinking in for Arthur that when I say no, i mean no. It hasn't reduced the meltdowns or his million and one attempts to keep doing x,y or z but I noticed a shift in him today. Unfortunately he only seems to pay attention once I start shouting. Tried saying No firmly, sternly and with a cross look on my face but the little bugger couldn't care less. Anyway, I totally lost it with him this morning when he was screaming and kicking during his nappy change AGAIN. I grabbed his arm and shouted at him horribly. On the one hand I feel awful, but on the other hand, I have endured 9 f-ing months of him screaming and kicking during nappy change. I have tried distraction, asking him to stop (in a firm voice), asking him for his co-operation, talking him through what is going to happen, what is happening, ignoring him. Nothing f-ing works - can you tell im still wound up? The little bugger angel is napping now.

Otherwise, A is a total angel and an absolute darling 75% 99% of the time.

[highlandbird]

fab news stealth have a lovely holiday!!! You sound like a great mum, I struggle some days with just one child but I would love to be one of these mums with loads of kids running about!! Am hoping for a bfp soon, fingers crossed!!

Petty you have my sympathy!! its really tough when they know how to wind you up!! A has started lying still long enough for me to change his nappy most times now, if I do it at lightning speed, sometimes (not often) I can distract him with a toy, but usually have to resort to holding him there saying no firmly until he gets the message. His new trick, however, is climbing on the windowsill, throwing all the photo frames off the windowsill and standing there banging on the glass and shouting at the chickens. Litle monster can do all this and still won't walk though!! Good job we love them eh?

[sam26oscar]

Hi all (hangs head in shame and cowers waiting for verbal attack lol) I have no excuse as to why i haven't been on for so long...however i am glad to hear of some bfp's
i am just really returning to mark my place tonight and hope i will be welcomed back!!!
I will read thru all the posts tomorrow when i am not so knackered!!
Hope all ok with everyone and flying thru our babies 2nd year with lots of tantrums???? Just me then !!! Will post very soon and do a proper catch up...
xx

[Purplefan]

Hi everyone,
so sorry not been around since the beginning of May!!! (2 months) that is a long time where has that time gone? In my defence I have been busy with school reports and assessments etc, although I have been keeping an eye on the facebook thread, this slipped off my radar!!!

What has happened since my last post on here? lots of you will know(from fb) that Bethan was involved in a crash in my childminders bus and she had an injured face.... that has healed well, although there is still a mark there (that will hopefully fade more as she gets older). The outcome of the crash ended up with the police saying it looked like a 50/50 incident (not a speeding van), they told us we could sue our childminder if we wanted!!! I have known my childminder since Georgie was 7 months old (nearly 6 years)...I just could not do that, she didn't set out to injure my baby, it was an accident and she did some fab first aid. It could've been a lot worse and luckily it wasn't.
The day after that incident someone crashed into my car as I was leaving work at lunchtime ... luckily no children in the car, he was at fault and although it was a real pain and not the best timming, all is sorted now!!!

Beth had her ears tested about a month ago.. and her hearing was slightly below par with some middle ear fluid in both ears (she had a nasty cold at the time too), we need to go back in 3 months (2 now) and have them checked again. She has also had her eyes tested and all is well (no sign of lazy eye that Pedatrician picked up on), they will keep an EYE on her until she is 3 though!! Not sure of her weight/height gain at mo, but still 6-9 month clothes (although some 3-6 still fit). She is very fast and mobile with her unique crab like crawl which uses a combination of hands, feet and head, with a swivel on the bottom to change direction. She pulls herself up on everything and cruises around the furniture - still no shoes required yet.. but gonna struggle with her small feet when we do!!

I think I may well shut up now... else this will be a super long post. Glad to hear of all BFP.... will need to re-read to check on exactly who these BFP belong to!! Sorry to hear about all problem nappy changes... Beth is ok at the moment, but I am sure she will soon catch up and cause a few more issues like the rest!!

Only 1 more week as a class teacher for me!!! I have a new job in September, that fell in my lap, so I will be the special needs coordinator (still working for the same school, but at a different site) I will still be working my 3 days, but will get slightly more money and will be good career progression! I have to do a course through Bath Spa Uni though...just hope I can fit it all in. Hey ho, nearly the summer hols.... will we get some sun?

On another note.... has anyone read the 50 shades books yet???

I promise, not to leave it so long next time.. x

[Purplefan]

Eeek, that was a long one.... well done if you read the lot

[ckny1]

Purple, who has TIME for all those car accidents????? I'm so glad that you and Bethan were spared serious injuries (save the very disturbing looking scar at the time on her sweet cheek!). And CONGRATULATIONS on the new position! Well done. I haven't even started looking for work, lazy bum that I am...

Sam, no need to cower, you have 2 LOs to look after! :)

Good God, Stealth, AMAZING news about your BFP!!! I shudder at the thought of 4 LOs, but then again I taught pre-school many years ago so I guess it's similar, though 24/7! All of you BFPers are brave, BRAVE souls! It actually sounds like loads of fun at your house, while sometimes I wonder whether Franz is a bit bored being with just me (and the millions of old ladies on the Upper East Side who flirt with him) all day...

Petty, at least you've kept up your sense of humour throughout your ordeals with the nappy changing. I feel as though I spend more weeks shouting than having fun, but I think it's the feeding times that stress me more. (Why is he refusing carbs? Self-imposed Atkins diet?)

F had his first professional haircut this week, couldn't have him looking like a Beatle forever (more like Bon Jovi more recently). Sadly he already needs new shoes! Doesn't he KNOW that this is expensive?!

This week is perfect with consistent 3 hour naps in the middle of the day! THIS is what I call a holiday.

[Lozario]

ckny three hour naps!!! And does he still sleep well at night with that! If I get Lara past the 2 hour mark I'm a happy woman but today she had nearly 3 hours (a rarity) and she sounds very wide awake. She and DS are currently in bed singing to each other DS has started telling her off which is quite funny. If she approaches him when he's playing a big boys game, he says "NO Lara it is NOT trouble time!"

tantrums holy hell yes. She shrieks like a banshee and often hits DS if he is being mean to her! She also refuses to be spoon fed and tonight ate lasagne with her hands... She also eats yoghurt using her fingers as dippers She is getting a lot fussier with her food now she's a toddler. Feels like I have a teenager already!

We are all down with the lurgy again. Snotty noses everywhere. I blame the rain.

Londoners - in Sept when the bigger ones are settled back in school, we could do another meet on people's days off?

[pettyprudence]

I bloody love mn - I think someone on the behaviour boards has given me a solution to wriggly nappy changes - pin the bugger down on the floor with my legs, leaving my hands free to wipe n change. Actually can't wait to try it out tomorrow (is there a loser emoticon?) Failing that I'm going to get the changing table back out and some leather straps..... that sounds more 50 shades than it was meant to (No purple I haven't read it and don't plan too - read the mn version instead!)

Food - Arthur getting a bit fussier too. I find he's much better with a fork than spoon though, especially my fork He's also a fan of eating yogurt with his fingers too

I'm desperately trying to avoid doing my work this evening, off to look at active convos so i can procrastinate some more

[sam26oscar]

lol petty you do make me laugh!!! 50 shades !!

well, as purple and few others i am better at fb than m/n! Cassie is a beaut!! chunky monkey with huge blue eyes and a headful of curls and a stubborness to boot!! She is not too bad at nappy time and with regards to eating i put the food on the plate, put a spoon and fork on the tray and basically ignore anything thrreafter!! when she hands me the plate and signs all gone i ask if shes finished then just take it give her a yogurt and get her down.We dont really have any problems with food if she eats it great if not she'll eat better at the next meal!!!
She too hits her big brother and me too...not sure how to treat it.At the moment i am ignoring by putting her hands by her side and distracting with toy.Not sure if she too young to do time out or if i say No will make a bigger deal out of it??

In other news my seriously talented son is currently having trials with Bristol city football club and also Southampton in August.....very proud mummy emocion!!!

I also have a new job starting Sept nannying for an old family who i looked after when Oscar was 2 and they now have 3 boys the youngest being couple of months younger than Cassie...the added bonus i can take Cassie with me on one of the 2 days :)) well my fingers aching as doing this on mobile and irratating me!!!

[Lozario]

books I am reading a cracker - Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. Some jaw dropping OMG moments in it and very well written, if anyone was looking for a recommendation!

Quite excited because I just heard that tomorrow it is not going to rain. Can it be true?

I am also sulking because I gather Sam's children slept in until 9am this morning!!!!

[ckny1]

Lozario, I think he usually sleeps better at night when he's had longer naps in the day, especially if I have him running around outside in the afternoon. I'm grateful for them since he dropped his afternoon nap a few months ago. Yesterday he went to 2.5 hrs, which was okay...fingers crossed that he stays down for a while now. I love the relationship your DS has with Lara!!!

Lately we have an issue with night terrors, when he wakes shortly after he's gone done at night and he just sits or stands in his cot with his eyes half open in a zombie state and not wanting anything. It's funny/scary, but I suppose it happens when he's exhausted.

Sam, you have the right strategy for eating, don't know why I stress about it and make it worse when EVERYONE with experience tells me not to worry! Just want him to get his nutrients and not only drink milk all day...

No motivation to read here.

[eversomuch]

Congrats on the BFP, stealth. Wow, lots of new babies on the way soon. I think I've actually lost count. I've got just under four months to go myself -- still trying to pin down a boy's name. Difficult!

Purple So glad you and Bethan are alright after all the car incidents.

I totally second Lozario's recommendation of Fingersmith. I think it's one of my favourite novels ever. It's astonishingly well plotted and has some great twists in it. I devoured it in a few days and then went on to read almost everything else by Sarah Waters (just Affinity to go). I finished The Little Stranger the other day, though, and must say I was a bit disappointed. Not nearly as good as her other novels, imo. But Fingersmith is amazing.

Sabine finally has a fifth tooth coming in. We haven't had much in terms of tantrums but she has gotten fussy with meals lately and it takes lots of coaxing to get her to eat sometimes. The times she freaks out the most, though, are when I take her out of the bath and try to dress her for bed. Nappy changes are sometimes a battle, but not always.

She was great on our recent trip, btw. Ate a banana at take-off each time and then fell asleep. Slept really well in our friends' borrowed travel cot, too, which was a lovely surprise.

I heard it's not going to rain tomorrow, too, but I'll believe after I've lived through it!

Ugh, feel like there's more I should be saying but this is already almost novel-length and I'm exhausted -- so off to bed.

[haloflo]

Hello all! Just a quick catch up as i've been sleeping during nap time for a while and have a lot to catch up with.

stealth! Congratulations! Very pleased for you and your family. 4 DCS under 6.

Awful night last night but mostly due to overtiredness and skipping a nap (she napped am but not pm, I made sure we just had one nap today) She still isn't sleeping longer than 3/4 hours regularly. I probably need to bite the bullet and do something about it. We were waiting for her MMR jab but thats been and gone now (thursday) and all seems well after it so no more excuses (bar the fact i'm tired, pregnant, hormonal, about to start working 4 days....) They all sleep through eventually....

ckny I think H does best on 2 - 2 1/2 hours, 3 is amazing but then bedtime is out the window. I hope it carrys on!

petty I hope MN cured nappy changes for you? H can be a nightmare so I think i'll check out your thread.

We do have another tooth though, 13 now so just 3 more canines and then maybe a break?!

That book sounds good. Once I can stay up past 9pm and stop watching prison break at every opportunity I will check it out.