FEB 2010 Terrors sometimes, angels at others - yep, they're properly two now...

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

New thread!!

We had a locely family day today especially as we decided not to go to the pub to do any chores! We went to a scarecrow festival this morning by bus then picnic in a field, walk down the lanes (getting soaked in tge afternoon) and I even managed to get DS to nap in my arms (he felt so heavy).

I hope you all had a good weekend

Hello!!

Grabbing a bit of time with the internet at PIL's place while DH gets all our stuff out of their loft - it's been there since we got married, more than four years ago!

The move went fine and a few trips to IKEA mean we're relatively organised, although we've not got the second tranche of stuff to find homes for following the ransacking of the PIL's loft.

DD loves her new house and has slept through every night so far. She also likes the lovely Spanish woman who is staying with us now (as do we all) - which is a relief! It's brilliant having someone who can spend time playing with DD while DH and I get on with other things.

I'm feeling exceedingly full of baby - but all seems well there and no signs of any action yet, despite hitting 37 weeks yesterday. I'm meeting a birth doula on Wednesday. Despite how they've hit it off, I still wouldn't expect our Spanish lady to be the only one looking after DD if the VBAC happens and turns into a marathon session. So I'm thinking about hiring a doula so if things DO take a long time, DH will be able to come and go a bit - get some rest/check in with DD etc. Haven't totally made up my mind about that, but I'll see how I feel after I've met her.

Good luck with the potty-training travails, everyone!

I'm not at all jealous IC especially not on multiple counts, oh no!

although I don't envy you labour, you will get those lovely newborn cuddles at the end.

how is everyone else?

Hi IC good to hear that Jesus is stay out and DD is settling in nicely

Nothing to report here. A few weeks ago, I was worried my job but it has now been confirmed it's safe. However, I'm looking around to see what may come up.

Nearly bedtime; I hope you're all okay.

IC glad everything went OK, jesus is now at term so anything can happen, it must be a relief for you. You can nest now

SB good news on the job, it is always good to keep an eye out anyway.

CP I am jealous of the shopping in IKEA [sado emoticon]! we went this week end to escape the heat, but couldn't buy anything. DD2 is tall enough to be in the pit (albeit slightly immature ) we left her there with her sister (I wouldn't have left her alone though) who had to be measured as she is nearly too tall (2 cm left!)

CP to answer your question, we are boiling! monday we had 39 C in the shade yesterday 41, it seems a bit cooler today 29 at 8 am, instead of 33 and 35 the days before

I am not posting because I don't know if I need to rant or if I am unconscious or just numb.... life is going on without planning or news (stressful) but it could be worse as our UK tenant died last week I feel for them as they are in our situation (migrants in a foreign country with no job... he was only a year older than me too!), our agent already seek legal advice I just want to cut them some slack

DD2 is completely potty trained now, she can also hold herself when she ask to pee in the middle of the subway! [phhhew!] BUT now she wakes up at night to pee .
BG there is hope as she also refuses to poo in a nappy now!
good luck

IC Glad move went well and everything seems settled!
SB Good news on your job but doesn't hurt to keep your eyes open
Mous Your tenant died? Oh dear. Hope ours doesn't although they are making a good job of trashing our house...

As for toilet training, dd2 is dry in the day and can hold for surprisingly long periods (I get a bit nervous around the four hour mark and remind her she might like to use the loo!). We haven't had a poo in the potty or loo yet though mainly because she's holding it in for several days at a time!! Got really concerned yesterday and fed her prunes etc and she did a poo in her nappy last night.

me, DS and DD have colds, DS and DD are cutting new teeth

mous good to hear from you, sorry things are not being resolved yet?

nk how is the new job going?

It looks like we are not going to take up DH's job offer, don't ask, details would take too long to write down.

I applied for one last post-doc and despite (I feel) having all the relevant experience didn't even get through the first round :( I just have no idea what I want to do and feel like an accidental SAHM. Havent exercised for a few days so plan to do a run when DCs are at nursery which should bring me back on track.

CP how was your run? I hope it helps you to clear your head

NK great news pn the pt

mous

pn should read for

We started potty training on Sat so day 6 today. Had poo in potty yesterday morning but accidents today and y-day afternoon. Also he's not taking himself to the potty - we still have to put him on it.

I'm not going to give up and go back to nappies but I thought he would take himself off to the potty by now.

Read a thread on potty training where some are still pooing their pants daily after a year. I know it's not even been a week but I am worrying he's going to be like that.

is he getting distressed by it all? If not that at least gives you a bit more time to carry on and it's only your own sanity you have to worry about.

i think there are a lot of children who are told to go the toilet rather than the other end of it being child led. I have come to realise the definition of potty trained can mean many different things.

DD still has the odd accident with me, about once a week but has had a fair few at nursery. with me I think it is a combination of her needing to go quite frequently compared to others and me letting her tell maybe a bit more than I should. I do forget sometimes to get her to go at certain points, e.g. when leaving somewhere or when we get home if she hasn't gone for a while.

I didn't run in the end as i napped instead was good though, then my neighbour knocked on the door woke me up and asked for a ride to the hospital so didn't have the time. Will see how i feel tonight as this cold is mainly a head one, so will be alright one moment and feel quite rough the next.

bc DS doesn't go to the potty by himself. I have to take him or tell him in need to go. Wees are much easier than poo in the potty but a combination of time (let him be used to wee in the potty) and bribery should help settling things quicker.

CP good that you managed to have a nap. Hopefully your cold will ease.

BC You might be expecting a bit too much of your DS. 2.5 is still very young to take himself to the potty. DD2 does it when naked or in knickers but won't be able to wipe herself properly (she does try) or undress herself, but she has been doing that since Xmas so has had a lot of practice and is tall enough to sit without help.
It is even more difficult for boys as most of their clothes are not child friendly.
Most children I have seen in playgroups go alone well after 3.
As long as he holds himself and asks you for the toilets, he is potty trained.
good luck.

CP nap is good!

dd2 did her first poo on the potty today! [proud mummy emoticon] She seemed a little surprised herself She got some serious praise and everyone had to admire her rabbit poo... She was very happy to be so clever!!

CP My job is going better than expected - in the sense that I am currently paid for being on holiday for nearly a month.... (It does mean I have no leave left until Christmas now but hey)
Sorry to hear that the London post didn't really work out for you as a family! And please don't give up applying yourself! I was in a similar situation as an accidental SAHM and it does take time to find something suitable

well done NK's DD2, it is crazy how happy poo can make us

nk how did you mentally find applying for jobs. I only do the odd one here and there and even though most of them I haven't wanted, I find the whole process takes a lot out of me. I need some kinda science careers service. Mind you it doesn't help that DH keeps voicing his opinion that he doesn't think it is a good idea.

We're all poo crazy

well DS is more and more enjoying swimming so hopefully he won't freak out next month when we start the swimming lessons.

Waves to all. I hope you're having a good weekend

I meant he wasn't telling us. Not expecting him to clean himself yet! It has gone well today - he's started saying when he wants to go so that's great. Poo as well. No accidents today or yesterday. Fingers crossed it stays like this.

Had a terrible night's sleep last night. DD slept in basket for 2 hours then came in with me and flapped like a fish all night. I was too dazed/tired to try anything except lay there and hope she would stop.

bc I feel for you, many the night I've wished I had the energy to return DD2 to her cot as we'd both sleep better, but I just can't move.

Mous your poor tenant and poor you. Big hugs. And the heat! Phew!

CP get well vibes heading your way. Nap sounds like an excellent use of time to me. Applying for jobs IS very time-consuming and often demoralising. Hang on in there, DS is still very young, you have two very young DCs in fact, and the rest of your life to work!

SB great on the swimming. Hard luck on your prang

bc that sounds like our nights. Although he doesn't come into the bed until about 12/1 now. Luckily I get to points of being done with him being latched onto continuously and push him over to DH, where he then snuggles and sleeps.

thanks scones we all seem much better now, just the last dreggs.

we all had a great day today. Went swimming as a family again this morning, then hit the natural history museum this afternoon. Now maybe DD will sleep through and DS will have a settled night.

NK well done DD2 on the potty-poo We still have a total refusal to poo other than in nappy, she either waits until naptime or if no nap until night nappy

IC hope all is going well in your new home. And that your meeting with the doula went well. I'd have loved a doula although actually DH did a terrific job.

We are back home for less than 24 hrs after a week at mum's. Plan was to spend the next week here, with mum (DH back to residential training for 2nd week), but there is literally no kitchen and the rest of the house is full of random cupboards etc. And we can't access any food as it is all packed away at the wrong end of the room A good excuse to eat a whole packet of biscuits So it is back to mum tomorrow. I feel guilty for putting the strain on her but also quite relieved.

X post CP glad you're feeling better

CP I found applying for jobs and going to interviews quite demoralising. Mine were very similar jobs though so I sat down and wrote a really good personal statement (with dh's help) and just used this over and over again, tweaked a bit for the particular post I was applying for. This saved quite a bit of time and effort. What I found worst was going for interviews and seeing most of the jobs being given to internal candidates...
I am sure you will be fine!! The job market is tough at the moment (friend told me they received over 300 applications for an entry level admin job and there were loads of people with degrees applying!). Keep going and try not to take it personally if you aren't shortlisted! And as Scones said, your two are very young still, so there is plenty of time to find the right job that suits you as a family.

so we had another trip to AnE, was alright I just wanted him to be checked. DH left a mug of coffee on the side within his reach.

I showered him with tepid water for 10 minutes then covered with cling film. Was quite a large area on his chest that was red, borderline 5% so took him to AnE. By the time we got to triage it had all pretty much gone.

Then DD cut her foot open on the way back to the car.

Not really sure how I feel atm other than tired and obviously relieved.

CP Hope you got a good stretch of sleep last night. What an awful experience!

Scones Enjoy being at your mum's and I hope you get your house sorted soon. I'm at my parents' for nearly four weeks in total and do feel a little guilty to enjoy being looked after . I just wish my parents lived closer so they could see their grandchildren more than about twice a year...