July 2010: Talking Tenacious Tantruming Toddlers Too Tiny To Turn Two.

[Spirael]

Here we go again...

Didn't read Cake's answers first. Nap - he still naps maybe two days out of three. The only way he'll now go to sleep is in the car or pushchair - hence some v wet walks in the past week or two. It takes about 25 mins of walking for him to drop off. Poor me! We tried for a while to not let him have more than one 45 min sleep cycle, but the tantrums from waking him just weren't worth it, so now we let him have 1.5 hours and accept he'll go to bed that bit later.

Gosh woods that sounds like hard work!
Right, survey!

Where does he/sleep
own room
If in own room - bed or cot?
cotbed
Sleeps through?
did for ages after gong to the cranial osteopath but have had 5 really bad nights on the trot so have to say no :-(
Starting to potty-train?
He has a weewee in the potpot every night and is happy to sit on it on his own but not going to go any further with it yet due to nursery in 6 weeks, dont want the poor kid to go through too much all at once.
How many teeth?
16
Any on the way at the moment?
yep, i see all four points of a back bottom molar peeping through.
Has dummy?
yes, just for sleeping, never outside his bedroom unless on a long drive.
How much milk?
half a cup first thing, milk shake for afternoon snack with a biscuit
And how - breast, cup or bottle?
sippy cup
Typical meals in a day?
breakfast-cerial (rice crispies, weetabix with rasins or somesuch), toast usually half a slice and some fruit usually strawberrys and blueberrys
Lunch-omlett,cheese and ham tomatoes and peppers etc, cheese spread sarni, eggy bread.
Dinner-(the one i struggle with!) sausage and mash, fish fingers pots and veg, chicken dinner, doesnt eat pasta or rice or mince!!
Favourite food?
Sausage, grapes, cheese, ham

Copies others, especially adults and older children?
Hmmmmmmmmm not really copies just goes along with.
Plays mainly beside other children, but is beginning to include other children, such as in chase games?
Yes, especially if there are older children there.
Points to things or pictures when they are named?
oh yes, amazer me what he knows.
Knows names of familiar people and body parts?
names are hard for people but body parts he has down
Says sentences with 2 to 4 words?
not really but hes not far, hes trying to.
Repeats words overheard in conversation?
not frequently
Recognising shapes, colours, letters and/or numbers?
he will repeat numbers and put the right lids on the right pens but doesnt know the colours yet, everythings blue!
Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books?
no, spech not there yet.
Plays simple make-believe games?
yes, i love to watch him playing, its amazing and so interesting.
Uses one hand more than the other?
I think he is beginning to favour his right but still uses both well.
Follows simple instructions?
yes, really good at 'pass mommy the......' or 'can you get the nappy mat/nappy/wipes out of the draw' he even tried to get F when i said it to see what he would do!!
Follows two-step instructions such as ?Pick up your shoes and put them in the closet.?
Yes defo.
Names items in a picture book such as a cat, bird, or dog?
yes
Stands on tiptoe?
walks around on tiptoes!
Kicks a ball?
yes
Begins to run?
he runs everywhere!
Climbs onto and down from furniture without help?
yes but his legs are short so he does have problems.
Walks up and down stairs holding on?
he has just started to as he can reach the bannister now.
Throws ball overhand?
not noticed dh said yes.
Makes or copies straight lines and circles?
no, but im well impressed with his drawing, he uses lots of colours and its really intricate.

Phew..........im done in now!! Looking forward to reading everyones though.
Thanks Cake!!

Where does he/sleep?

Own room

If in own room - bed or cot?

Cot, probably move to bed in the summer after the inlaws have visited (so that's next Feb - may actually need to be in a bed before then...)

Sleeps through?
Yep

Starting to potty-train?
Well this week she has taken her nappy off, said "Weeeeeeeee" and weed all over the floor but not sure if that counts :)

How many teeth?
All of them

Any on the way at the moment?
Last 4 just through

Has dummy?

No

How much milk?
Don't measure it out but first thing in am and last thing before bed

And how - breast, cup or bottle?
Bottle, really should switch to cup. Though our HV-equivalent said it's ok as long as teeth brushed after and not left with bottle in cot (which I never do)

Typical meals in a day?
Breakfast - toast or porridge with blueberries
Lunch - pasta/noodles/omelette/sandwiches/etc
Tea - similar to lunch

Favourite food?
Anything sweet

Copies others, especially adults and older children?
Yep, especially A

Plays mainly beside other children, but is beginning to include other children, such as in chase games?
Mostly by herself

Points to things or pictures when they are named?
Yes

Knows names of familiar people and body parts?
Yes

Says sentences with 2 to 4 words?
Yes

Repeats words overheard in conversation?
Yes

Recognising shapes, colours, letters and/or numbers?
A few - not many

Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books?
No

Plays simple make-believe games?
No

Uses one hand more than the other?
Haven't really noticed. Think she uses the right more

Follows simple instructions?
Ha, yes, she can but doesn't always want to

Follows two-step instructions such as ?Pick up your shoes and put them in the closet.?
As above

Names items in a picture book such as a cat, bird, or dog?
Yes, a few

Stands on tiptoe?
Yes

Kicks a ball?
Yes

Begins to run?
Runs everywhere!

Climbs onto and down from furniture without help?
Oh does she ever. Nowhere is safe

Walks up and down stairs holding on?
Yes though we have tricky spiral stairs so I usually accompany her

Throws ball overhand?
Don't know

Makes or copies straight lines and circles?
Don't think so

Btw, meant to ask cake how are things going with F, you saw someone about possible dyspraxia didn't you? Have any assessments etc been done, what's the next step?

Morning all

hope everyone got some sleep last night!

i'd like to have some kind of party for A. I don't think its essential or anything but I would just like to. She's such a party animal that I know she will enjoy it.

chul that's impressive getting a compliment on how well behaved your children are when they're so small and numerous!

Wss he had the assessment and it looks as tho he does have it - thankfully, it's on the milder side. We're now just waiting for an appt with the child dev centre so we can understand how we can help him.

It's been a weird time since we found this out because obv its upsetting finding anything's wrong with your 'perfect child' but also because i know i have it too, i feel guilty that i passed it on plus i know the difficulties he's likely to have in future, at school (i was fucking horrific at school) etc. it's pretty crap some days when nursery tell me he's fallen over literally non-stop and is likely to be covered in bruises

On the plus side, it's helped to really understand his funny ways and has made us (and nursery) be more patient with the things we thought he was just being lazy or silly about

He's very happy and sociable and he's still flying ahead on the 'academic' side so at least we can not worry or focus on that and just help him deal with the stuff he struggles with - simple stuff like taking coat off and on, putting on shoes, eating without making horrific mess, getting distracted, crazy temper etc.

hopefully he'll get some advantages from it too - e.g. people with dyspraxia are often creative and are good at strategies and problem solving, something to do with how our brains are wired up fuckhazardly!

i think it hit me particularly hard because it's made me reevaluate my whole life and understand why i did some of the things i did in the past. there's positives here too tho as stupid stuff that i've always struggled with - such as arranging travel - i've now been forcing myself to get a grip and just deal with it. stuff like my annoying clumsiness, i just accept now, rather than feeling angry with myself when i spill yet another drink or break another ££ mug!

has been a funny few months but all in all, it could be much worse!

how's A doing with her speech now?

Where does he/sleep?
In his brother's room

If in own room - bed or cot?
In his brother's bed! It's a double, and quite high off the floor so I was worried for a while going from his teeny toddler bed to that, but he sleeps on the outside edge and has never fallen out!

Sleeps through?
Pretty much. I had to go in last night to shush him but I'm not really sure why I think I was half asleep and did it on autopilot rather than because he needed anything!

Starting to potty-train?
Dne really well all week then suddenly had three accidents on Friday and one yesterday But I do not want to go back over now so he will stay in pants and I will ask nursery to pay more attention to him.

How many teeth?
Am gob smacked how many LOs have all their teeth 14 teeth totally through, 15th is about a third through and the last one has just broken through. E didn't get his last four until he was over 3yo! I doubt W will either.

Any on the way at the moment?
Last pointy bottom one just broken

Has dummy?
No chance

How much milk?
Don't measure it out, whenever he asks for it which isn't very often. When he has a drink (no matter what it is) he just has a normal cup.

And how - breast, cup or bottle?
Oops, answered above...

Typical meals in a day?
Breakfast - weetqbix, porridge or rice crispies
Lunch - usually cheese and ham sandwich as that's what E asks for Every. Single. Day.
Tea - anything - spag bol, pesto pasta, sausage mash and veg, chicken in sauce with pots and veg, pizza, all sorts. The only thing they seems to steadfastly refuse is rice dishes. Yet they eat chilli con carne at nursery

Favourite food?
Food is his favourite food. He is a complete gannet

Copies others, especially adults and older children?
Yes

Plays mainly beside other children, but is beginning to include other children, such as in chase games?
Always playing chase 'cars' with his brother. Is just as happy playing on his own as with his brother.

Points to things or pictures when they are named?
Yes

Knows names of familiar people and body parts?
Yes

Says sentences with 2 to 4 words?
Yes

Repeats words overheard in conversation?
Yes

Recognising shapes, colours, letters and/or numbers?
A few colours - but then sometimes gets the same colours wrong so it may just be coincidence when he appears to get them right

Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books?
Not many, does twinkle, twinkle staaaaaaaaaar and ring a roses

Plays simple make-believe games?
No

Uses one hand more than the other?
Well. I was convinced he was right handed, but the older he gets he seems to throw left handed and use his left hand more. He defo uses both though, and is defo right footed.

Follows simple instructions?
He can. Whether he chooses to is another matter entirely

Follows two-step instructions such as ?Pick up your shoes and put them in the closet.?
As above

Names items in a picture book such as a cat, bird, or dog?
Yes, lots, however it's hit and miss whether he says the name of the animal or does the noise it makes instead.

Stands on tiptoe?
Yes

Kicks a ball?
Yes. Not biased (honest gov) but he is brilliant with a ball.

Begins to run?
Runs everywhere!

Climbs onto and down from furniture without help?
Far, far too much.

Walks up and down stairs holding on?
Yes

Throws ball overhand?
Yes

Makes or copies straight lines and circles?
Circles, no. Straight lines, yes - over and over. He drew lots of lines on the chalk board the other day and then told me he'd drawn a horse

Has a 45 min nap at nursery but no nap at home unless we go out in the car and he drops off.

Where does he/sleep?
His own room

If in own room - bed or cot?
cot, he loves it in there and will wait a bit longer to put him in a bed

Sleeps through?
Mostly, last night was 7-7.30

Starting to potty-train?
He is interested, tells me when he has had a poo, grabs himseof and says weewee and will go to potty but hasnt produced anything yet

How many teeth?
14

Any on the way at the moment?
no sign of any

Has dummy?
only in his cot, he isnt allowed it once he is up

How much milk?
9oz at night and sometimes a small cup in the day

And how - breast, cup or bottle?
bottle

Typical meals in a day?
Breakfast is porridge, cheerios or krispies followed by a yoghurt and a banana.
Lunch is beans on toast, noodles or just fruit, he really isnt interested in lunch most days
Tea is macaroni cheese with ham, sausage, mash and beans, chicken casserole or something saucy with chicken

Favourite food?
He would eat sausages everyday if I let him, also he eats so many strawberried im surprised he hasnt turned into one.

Copies others, especially adults and older children?
Yes all the time

Plays mainly beside other children, but is beginning to include other children, such as in chase games?
yes, he is actually playing trains with his cousin at the moment

Points to things or pictures when they are named?
Yes

Knows names of familiar people and body parts?
Yes he always lists names and knows everything on body including elbows and knees, weirdly he is like a sat nav (like his dad) knowing as we drive by places who live where.

Says sentences with 2 to 4 words?
Yes, his longest is the most embarassing 'ow my knee/elbow/hand, my nanny/daddy/mummy did it'

Repeats words overheard in conversation?
Yes

Recognising shapes, colours, letters and/or numbers?
no colours or shapes but knows numbers up to 5 then it jumps to 8.

Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books?
Yes

Plays simple make-believe games?
Yes

Uses one hand more than the other?
favours the left

Follows simple instructions?
Yes

Follows two-step instructions such as ?Pick up your shoes and put them in the closet.?
Yes, he is a clean freak, so likes to wipe things, put them away so he doesnt need telling twice

Names items in a picture book such as a cat, bird, or dog?
Yes

Stands on tiptoe?
yes

Kicks a ball?
yes

Begins to run?
doesnt stop, he runs everywhere, and as fast as me, so I cant call his bluff and let him run a bit then I start.

Climbs onto and down from furniture without help?
Yes

Walks up and down stairs holding on?
Yes

Throws ball overhand?
Yes

Makes or copies straight lines and circles?
Nooo, doesnt like drawing, but if you do give him a colouring book he will colour over the faces etc so he knows what he should do but isnt interested

Hi! Havent been in here in ages as life has been mega busy do going to try and catch up now! Apologies if I don't get all the Wat through it

Hi kk :)

cake A's speech is much better, therapy has stopped for now, she'll be reassessed middle of next term (end of August) and see if she needs another block of 6 sessions.

I'm not writing on here anymore. Talk about tempting fate - W has had lots of accidents this weekend, fell out of bed last night and they've been up (thanks to E though) since 5.30am

:(

Shit mylife its just not funny is it! D ws awake for about two hours last night from around 12ish, F woke and had a quick feed and went straight back down but woke for the day at 5.30, i know he wont resettle cos he usually has a giant dirty nappy. Just fed him and he has just brought the whole lot back up all over me, the sofa and the carpet. Thats the second time in three days that hes vomited up a whole bottle straight away and i have no idea why?? I feel like i have no idea how to help F. I had a mini meltdown yeaterday after he wouldnt eat any lunch, he just cried and screamed. D is now up, how can he be awake now after being awake for so long at night?? Its proper regression, just like he was before the osteopath. I shall make another appointement with her for as soon as possible i think. Why were your boys up so early? and do you have to get up with them? Has falling out put W off the big bed?
chu hows things with you, im sure you must be up!
trudy post if you can, let us know how you are.
tsc did you have a good night and what are you planning for today you lucky thing!!
cake the survey is very interesting, seems the speach is the biggest differance from what i can tell.

I'm giving you both a weak sleep-deprived high five - 6 pm here and been up nearly 13 hours. Off out for curry in an hour.

And it's absolutely pissing down and I'm picking up 4 people and I really don't feel like going < moan moan moan>

You'll have fun once you're out wss

No it hasn't vik, I picked him up and cuddled him then he climbed back in and went straight back to sleep!

E is sooooo not in my good books right now. He knows mind
Off to pick up the babysitter then off to work, laterz

The survey!

Where does he/she sleep?
Starts the night in his bed and ends up in ours.

If in own room - bed or cot?
Bed

Sleeps through?
He does except that wake up when he comes to our room.

Starting to potty-train?
He tells me when hes done a poo so thats a step towards it.

How many teeth?
16

Any on the way at the moment?
Dont think so, not til the very back molars.

Has dummy?
No

How much milk?
Dont know exact measurement but he has a beaker full first thing.

And how - breast, cup or bottle?
Beaker/ cup

Typical meals in a day?
Breakfast: toast/ cereal/ fruit
Lunch: sandwich/ crisps/ cheese/ various fruit/ yoghurt
Dinner: whatever we're having i.e the other night I did sausages, new pots, baby sweetcorn, peas and onion gravy and he had all of that except the gravy.

Favourite food?
His fruit buttons from Tesco!

Copies others, especially adults and older children?
Yes!

Plays mainly beside other children, but is beginning to include other children, such as in chase games?
Yes, he lovessss being around other kids now, esp familiar ones i.e my nephew.

Points to things or pictures when they are named?
Yes

Knows names of familiar people and body parts?
Yes

Says sentences with 2 to 4 words?
Yes

Repeats words overheard in conversation?
Yes

Recognising shapes, colours, letters and/or numbers?
Ermm hes beginning to do numbers but thats it.

Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books?
Dont think so.

Plays simple make-believe games?
He likes his new shop and we play shops (I quite enjoy that!)

Uses one hand more than the other?
Think he uses both equally still but not sure.

Follows simple instructions?
Yes

Follows two-step instructions such as ?Pick up your shoes and put them in the closet.?
Yes

Names items in a picture book such as a cat, bird, or dog?
Yes

Stands on tiptoe?
Yes

Kicks a ball?
Yes

Begins to run?
Yes

Climbs onto and down from furniture without help?
Yes

Walks up and down stairs holding on?
Yes, hes started doing it without holding on now.

Throws ball overhand?
Yes

Makes or copies straight lines and circles?
Not really, he scribbles.

Naps: vary alot, recently hes been going days without one, then if we're in the car at the right time he'll have half an hour but NO MORE!

wss hope your having a lovely night, sleep deprivation just impacts on life on every level, im getting increasingly worried about going back to work, i have 7 weeks till then and i really cant see anything changing. I think the light at the end of the tunnel i could see a few weeks ago IS another train!! Amazing how negative you can feel after feeling so positive not so long ago.

vik and mlic so crap about last night for you both.
L finally seems to be sleeping after 2 years of 6am starts, he did 7 til 7 last night, he is also being so well behaved recently but tantrums have started, I wont even look at him when he flips so it doesnt get him far! It really pisses dh off though funny as i normally flip and hes the calm one but its role reversal on tantrum front!
Sitting at hospital still waiting!

memph its so annoying to be waiting so early in the day! L is so cute and sounds like hes turning into a great little sleeper. Isnt it funny how we all deal with things differently to how we thought we would. I hope yu get seen soon!!

Sorry for the absence, been manic here with various ailments and house related things. Finally recovering from the ailments and the house was under control ahead of the open day we're holding on Saturday... Until I got a call from the EA that someone wants to view it tomorrow.

So tonight is going to be manic again as I clean and tidy... But hopefully the fact that they couldn't wait to view the house on Saturday means that they're keen? [optimistic]

In the meantime, here are the survey answers for M...

Where does he/she sleep?
In her own room.

If in own room - bed or cot?
Junior Bed.

Sleeps through?
[prepares to be lynched] Yes, pretty much always.

Starting to potty-train?
Not really. She likes sitting on the 'potpot' but doesn't produce, and only sometimes realises she needs a nappy change.

How many teeth?
13, though more canines are coming.

Any on the way at the moment?
We have canines in process.

Has dummy?
No, she never took one.

How much milk?
None, anymore! She seems to have gone off it. She does have loads of yoghurt, cheese etc though so I'm not too worried.

And how - breast, cup or bottle?
Cup for all drinks, sippy when not at the dinner table as it tends to get thrown around then.

Typical meals in a day?
I'll go for an idea of a typical nursery day...
Breakfast: (Nursery) Porridge/Cereal/Fruit
Lunch: (Nursery) Bolognaise/Chicken Supreme/Polish Meatballs
Tea: (Nursery) Jacket Potato/Sandwiches/Soup
Dinner: (Home) Curry/Pasta/Stirfry

Favourite food?
Lots! Cheese, Smarties, Curry, Shellfish, Sausages, Fruit, Ice-cream... All of those she eats with gusto.

Copies others, especially adults and older children?
Yes, she loves mimicing. She now won't let me dry her hair at night unless she gets to dry mine!

Plays mainly beside other children, but is beginning to include other children, such as in chase games?
She's kind of a rabble raiser at nursery... She keeps organising the other children into racing games or similar.

Points to things or pictures when they are named?
Yes.

Knows names of familiar people and body parts?
Yes.

Says sentences with 2 to 4 words?
Yes. New best this morning with "Daddy gone to work..." when I dropped her off at nursery myself as DH had to go in early.

Repeats words overheard in conversation?
She repeats words you've explained or said to her directly. I've not heard her repeat anything she's just overheard, yet.

Recognising shapes, colours, letters and/or numbers?
Can do most colours (thank you Smarties!), some letters and just starting to count.

Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books?
Not really, but she has so many books from doting, book loving grandparents that we don't read the same ones very often. (Except maybe Dear Zoo...)

Plays simple make-believe games?
Yes, the Health Visitor was impressed at the 2 year review when Mindy solemly cooked up some pretend food in a pan, then served it on a plate and brought it over. Same as she does every weekend at home with real food under careful supervision.

Uses one hand more than the other?
She used to use her left more, but I'd say it's pretty even now.

Follows simple instructions?
Yes.

Follows two-step instructions such as ?Pick up your shoes and put them in the closet.?
Probably... She tends to forget half-way through. Possibly by choice... Given the instruction was to get a piece of cheese and take it to Mummy, and she got half-way towards me before realising she was holding a piece of cheese so decided to eat it herself instead.

Names items in a picture book such as a cat, bird, or dog?
Yes, even fairly styalised ones! I was impressed.

Stands on tiptoe?
Yes, to reach door handles.

Kicks a ball?
Not really tried.

Begins to run?
Yep, running no problem. Stopping more difficult.

Climbs onto and down from furniture without help?
Constantly.

Walks up and down stairs holding on?
She doesn't like using our stairs as there's no banister - just walls and a rail that's out of reach. However we viewed a house at the weekend that had a banister and she was up and down the stairs at speed, upright with no help. If we can ever sell our house, we might buy the house just for that!!

Throws ball overhand?
Ball, no... We don't have one. Soft toys, yes. Amusing yesterday, I tossed Teddy over to her as she requested, she gave him a kiss, then lobbed him back!!

Makes or copies straight lines and circles?
Yes, she makes me draw for her and then either tries to copy or 'colours' the picture in.

Naps?
One, for about an hour and a half, straight after lunch. Though she doth protest a lot to it now, so I suspect it may not continue much longer.

Really interesting to see all the different stages all the LO's are at. :) Thanks for the survey, Cakes.

yes, I was up viks, 5.30 for us (a lie-in woohoo...). My day started (not that yesterday ever ended iyswim) with a tantruming nearly 2 yr old for 30 mins interspersed with a shouting 3 yr old "S beeeee quiet, beeeee quiet, I don't like your whinging" etc, followed by one almighty poo from aforementioned 2 yr old, another almighty poo from 4 month old and then another tantrum cos I wouldn't put Thomas on - all before 6.30am.

I'm focussing on Christmas when things will be better if only because B won't be feeding every 2-3 hours at night any more.

wss have a lovely time and stay off the wine or you'll be asleep by 8pm!

memphis hope your day gets better, hosp appts are a nightmare...

cake it's good that you can pinpoint how best to help F as he gets older and since you've already lived it you'll be able to spot potential probs before he gets there. Don't even think about blaming yourself, it's not your 'fault' in fact it's not a fault At All, it's an intrinsic part of who F is and what makes him uniquely him.

I'll do the survey at some point, right now both boys are down and I've got a holiday to book, an iced bakewell to make, tea to prepare and possibly only 30 mins of tandem napping in which to do it.

Mlic was right, I did enjoy the night out once I was out :). No wine - no booze at all - just a Coke to keep me awake.

Tis always the way I'm out on Saturday and am looking forward to it now but know nearer the time I'll wish I hadn't said yes and

Glad you're feeling better about stuff cake with the exception of putting his coat on with relevant ease (but not doing it up himself) E really struggles with all those things so whilst I'm not saying he has the same thing, F certainly doesn't stand out as 'different' to me - E puts his shoes on the wrong foot, he can't grasp that they go the other round and does it every time. Yesterday I had to remind him to use his cutlery - W was sat using a knife and fork yet E was eating his baked beans with his fingers but it's more difficult for him and he struggles. I'm not doing that competitive parenting thing, simply trying to reassure you that toddlers with those traits don't stand out to Joe Public as being different. Glad you have an action plan so to speak, for helping him.

Good luck with the house viewing spirael!

Kids are exhausted after their 5.30 start. They were very well behaved for the babysitter though and went to bed at 6.50pm

I'm off now til Friday, woohoo :)

Said yes and....wish I could have an early night instead -wonder why I didn't finish that sentence

wss glad you had a nice time.
mlic bet you will have a blast on your night out.

Well hospital didnt go too well, blood are dangerously high on one of the levels and high on another level, they wanted me in for test thurs but cant get a sitter so in next thursday mind is whirring as dh is away but I have found a bottle of wine

Hope you're feeling ok memph.

I just want to eat, eat, eat tonight. Don't know what's wrong with me!