October 2011 - my, oh my, how the first years flew by!! It's birthday season!!

[MummyDuckAndDuckling]

So excited that the first birthdays are upon us! Will try get a copy of the stats..

[CheshireDing]

Aww poor guy Climbing, hope he gets sorted this afternoon.

Thanks for the new thread, just came back from the petting zoo and was going to try and sort one so thanks for that ('cos I probably wouldn't have been able to sort it anyway)

[ClimbingPenguin]

thanks engels


he was so listless this morning :( and he fell asleep three times when he was getting dressed.

[ClimbingPenguin]

I've started a new thread as couldn't see one here

[Engelsemama]

Hope DS is better soon climbing

[ClimbingPenguin]

turns out DS is dehydrated. He has some of the dioraltye stuff to try and we're going back to the GP this evening to check he is getting better.

I feel a bit stupid as he has been drinking a large amount of water for him which hasn't helped the situation.

[ClimbingPenguin]

at the camomile and lavender

DS still not right, just had 30 mins of horrible screaming while the drugs took effect :( I'm too drained to do the editing I needed to do.

I know AF is due as I was a bit leaky on my run. PFs are a lot better but they still struggle around AF time.

The takeaway for once was really nice actually (I tend to find them a let down, either too salty or too fatty).

[CheshireDing]

Will try and do a new thread if I can work it out tomorrow to link it here.

Hope everyone (myself included) gets a good nights sleep. Sent P to bed covered in Camomile and Lavender - I live in hope.

[CheshireDing]

Glad to be of service Sassy .

I did another test and can't see anything now :( but AF hasn't turn up either and DH won't let me drink wine incase. I have decided there is nothing there now and maybe it was an Evaporation Line :(

Aww Tally, glad he enjoyed it. Those soft slipper-type shoes are so gorgeous.

Mummy P still only has 4 teeth - although I did take her to the Dentist on Thursday (and she got a sticker).

Engels we use a swim nappy and a wet suit. would you be able to stay off and rest but get your marking done? Bugger house cleaning - my standards are WAY lower than before P turned up (previously I had never had poo on my carpet unsurprisingly!). Are you going to travel round NZ a bit with M? sounds fab.

Happy Birthday for yesterday Climbing, I hope you really indulged in your takeaway

Impressed by the buggy run Pene. I keep "thinking" about doing exercise

[Engelsemama]

I am definitely considering alternate forms of contraception Tally so interesting to hear about implant. I?m hoping that in a month DH and I will be able to talk about trying again for number 2, though it may just be passively for a while (i.e. not using contraception). Even if I wasn?t on the pill I don?t think it would have made a difference tbh. Depression is not conducive to a high sex drive, and unfortunately the Ads DH takes to help his depression make it even worse

pen we reckon we are going to be quite lazy and try and book as much as we can through a travel agent here but thanks! Maybe we?ll be able to have a MN meet-up (depending on what days we?re in Wellington ? def going to stop there for 1 or 2 nights as we have friends there). Well done on improving buggy run time

sassy poor you and DCs. Hoping they?re all better soon. Great news about ADs, gym and DP. I think everyone?s allowed a little moan every now and again

What a pita duck

Well, I feel like I?ve turned a corner now. Feeling much better physically, though still a bit snotty. Managed to do some schoolwork today which made me feel a lot better. Just getting started is the hardest thing. I have barely been out of the house in a week or spoken to anyone except DH and ILs. I?m ready to face the world again! Hoping I?ll be well enough to go running on Tuesday night and am planning on going to work this week. Have one more day off tomorrow so still some more time to get some more marking and planning done (I managed it today while M was sleeping this afternoon). Thanks for listening ladies. My resolution for Lent is to give up whining on MN and look for the positives in life instead (easier said than done I know).

[PenelopeLane]

A has been doing lessons since he was about 9 months - he really likes it, it's pretty much water play with other babies his age with some things I couldn't do alone at the pool like passing them between adults under water. DH was skeptical at first but I convinced him as A really enjoys it and they aren't too pricey. They also teach blowing bubbles and climbing on and off floaty things, and he's just started putting his head under himself. If DH and I could always go to the pool together we wouldn't need the lessons though

[ClimbingPenguin]

we need a new thread soon

[ClimbingPenguin]

DD has been swimming short bursts for about 6 months now. She's not old enough to hold her head above the water, but she kicks, uses her arms and blows bubbles. She's starting to combine it with breathing so after a count of 4, we lift her head for breathing in for 2 counts and then going again. She's been jumping in since she just turned 2. She's been able to get out the pool by herself for absolute yonks. She's always loved the water and has been swimming most weeks she was 4 months old (with a three month gap when we moved around 18 months).

DS doesn't love it as much until we get into much warmer pools.

right need to go and do some work

[MummyDuckAndDuckling]

Great news sassy! And well done on the spin class. Your brave!!

Hope you had a lovely birthday climbing

I got one of the swim vests on eBay for a total of £3! Plus a few p&p. I agree with what you say to an extent climbing, but i think some sort of 'flotation' allows confidence to be built and encourage use of legs to kick and move around the water. I dislike arm bands as I feel it puts a lot of pressure on their shoulders and back. When she's a little older, I hope to just use one of those noodle things. Kids I last looked after used them and they were great! Very confident jumping in and out water with them and both swimming by 5ish.

I've got my own moan... All new heating materials being delivered tomorrow with the plan to be fitted on Tuesday but this has now been cancelled and I need to phone Monday to arrange a new date! Now my house isn't huge so everything was being put into S room as I've taken apart her cot and moved all furniture out of the way to allow floors to be lifted etc. spent most of Thursday doing all this as I was working thur/fri/sat night so we have stayed at my parents with the view of having the house empty for all the work to be done and going back by end of week when everything is sorted and she has a room to sleep in again. Ill be complaining with the fact of the inconvenience this is now causing as I can't have a toddler in the house while the floors are all lifted and radiators/boiler/pipes and everywhere! I'm hoping this has been a mistake somewhere as they were only just out on Thursday confirming location etc of everything. Grrr! Ill be glad when its all done and we have our nice cosy house back.

It's lovely here today, starting to finally feel like spring

[ClimbingPenguin]

pleased for you sassy

DS still poorly, he's sleeping while DH takes DD swimming. He has been awake a total of two hours so far today. Regarding swimming, we're off the school of thought of wanting them to learn to swim properly and hold on to the side etc. so we don't agree with floatation suits etc. Comes down to how often you go and what you want out of them I suppose. They can't do 'swimming' if the suit keeps them bobbing on the surface.

[sassy34264]

I can add some good news though.

I'm off the happy pills and happy again. My and dp's relationship has improved 10 fold and i have joined a new gym.........and i'm going at least 3 times a week.

I'm loving the spinning classes!

[sassy34264]

I wrote a post on sat morning, but it wouldn't up load!!! grrr.

engels sorry you are having such a shit time. Hope you are better soon.

Hope you had a nice birthday climbing

mummy I got these for the twins when we went to Italy.

swim vests

My post was a little moan, as all 3 kids have conjunctivitis and i had spent 2 hours (getting there, waiting, and driving back) at the emergency docs on fri night. Got in at 1am. Eva had woke up crying,boiling hot, breathing really fast and heart rate racing. She has tonsilitis. It's been a bloody shame on her. Green pus from both her eyes and her nose.

Chloe now has ear ache.

Did i kill someone in a past life! I am seriously bogg eyed. I daydream of having 1 night in a hotel, with no one to wake me up during the night or my jacob alarm clock at 6.10am every frigging morning.

I can't bloody wait for spring..............


oops- moaned again

[PenelopeLane]

engels hope you feel better, and do let me know if you want any accom advice ie the actual location of hotels and avoiding dodgy areas etc

We put A into a swim suit and a swimmer when he swims, but that's more to keep him warm. Having said that though my sis swears by re-usable swimmers.

I am exhausted - did a 7km run/walk with the buggy before for an event held every year in Wellington. Was fabulous though, and am especially pleased I bet last year's time and also didn't ram anyone's shins with the buggy unlike last year

[TallyBear]

Mummy I've been looking for a float jacket too. Some kids had them at the pool and they look a lot more user friendly than arm bands, which are perhaps better for older kids.

Engles So sorry you've been feeling crappy. Sending and positive thoughts your way. I agree Winter is crap but we're definitely heading into Spring - if that is any consolation.
Re: swimming, when Seb was little we used a swim nappy and a 'wrap' like a wet suit but now we use a swim nappy and little shorts (with Mr Happy on them). He looks so cute in them. For some classes I think they ask you to double-up with nappies. You can get some shorts with reusable swim nappies built in. I did buy a reusable swim nappy but never used it (too small now) as it didn't seem to have much room for deposits, iykwim!
I got the implant after Seb. Not sure about effect on skin but it's good and when you want to ttc again you have it removed and your fertility comes back immediately. Or you just leave it in for 3 years.

Climbing HAPPY BIRTHDAY . Enjoy your cake and takeaway. Add a or two to that!
Seb can blow kisses although I'm not actually sure if he started playing indians! He looks very cute though. He also hugs his teddies

[Engelsemama]

That's what I'm thinking strawb or maybe even just going off it altogether since we are (fx) going to ttc later this year. But in the back of my mind I remember how hideous my skin was when I wasn't on the pill. When we were ttc and I couldn't use most acne treatments, it was so bad that one of my (very tactful Dutch) colleagues asked me what was 'wrong with my face'.

[strawberrypenguin]

Happy birthday climbing

Hope you feel better soon eng is it worth trying a different pill to see if that has any effect on the pmt?

[Engelsemama]

Happy Birthday Climbing !

Thank you for your kind words and snot related tips . I actually feel a lot better now that I have made the connection between my cycle and meltdown. I really thought I was ready to be shipped off to the funny farm yesterday - scared myself by how full of despair I was (and gave myself a massice headache from crying).

M makes a funny sound when he cuddles you (a mix between cuddle and Dutch knuffel ) and waves bye bye to everyone, btu still hasn't got the hang of kisses/blowing kisses (though he will kiss his teddy!).

Just finished skyping DM and M is in bed so am going to go and make our pizza base for this evening and then give the house a once over. May start reading the novel I have to start teaching soon (will be something to cross off to do list that doesn't require much effort, whereas my pile of planning and marking most definitely do!)

[ClimbingPenguin]

That's a tough combination of ill and PMT, no wonder you felt things getting on top of you.

On the plus side, hopefully green goo means you are near the end. Last year every time I got a cold I got sinusitis which was horrible, as it lasted the three weeks. I only get blocked on one side and what I have found to be really helpful to make yourself lay on the side that lets it drain. It takes a while to get used to it, but I think it is what has stopped me getting it that badly this winter.

DS can now blow kisses and do self cuddles to say goodbye to nanny on the laptop. When he has had enough he just starts waving goodbye

It's my birthday today, was feeling a bit glum as no presents and no messages on fb (although to be fair my b'day isn't advertised on there), but have pulled myself together a bit now. Doesn't help that DS has now got my cold and I am still getting over it. They are making me a cake later and we're having takeaway once children are in bed.

[Engelsemama]

After saying that M doesn?t really wake in night he woke up on Thursday at 4am and was crying on and off for a good half an hour. I went and got him and brought him into our bed and he was fine (took him half an hour to get to sleep but he wasn?t ?properly? awake so wasn?t trying to sit up, though he was babbling a bit). Maybe he had a bad dream? He?s definitely teething ? has more teeth coming through. The bottom ones between his first molar and the other canines. His antibiotics seem to be doing their work though. He?s eating again normally and coughing less.

Tally M would play with the remote all day given the chance (he always turns the channel over if I leave it lying around). Oh, and I WISH I was off bulk buying pee tests! We?re going to talk about it again in a few months.

Can I ask a stupid question re: swimming. Do you just use a swim nappy, or a swim nappy plus costume, or a costume that doesn?t need a swim nappy I have only taken M swimming once

Climbing M starts saying ?hello? every time I put my laptop on because he expects to be see my mum on skype!

I still feel rubbish Have had a really nasty cold/flu virus all week. My sinus?s are still blocked and am dispensing lovely green goo in the morning (sorry TMI). My throat is still swollen and sore. Cannot believe that has been my whole half term. I have so much work to do for school and rely on half term to be able to catch up and also recharge my batteries and am in a worse state than I was at the beginning of the holiday (sorry for repeating myself ? sure I moaned about this the other day). I haven?t been able to any schoolwork or anything in the house, or even anything for myself (desperately in need of a haircut!).

Had a total meltdown yesterday and Thursday ? couldn?t cope with M, fed up of being physically ill and emotionally just not dealing with anything. DH calmed me down when he got back from work yesterday. I was so distraught that I started telling myself that I really should go to my GP about anxiety, then realized I had a similar meltdown exactly a month ago ? the day before my period was due.

Starting to wonder if my pill is not ?working? for me emotionally. I had really bad PMT the first year I moved to Holland (I was like clockwork ? 1 week before my period I would be in floods of tears) which I had never experienced before. It petered out, so I think it was linked to the anxiety of moving to a new country and having to build a new life. Have been on the same pill since I was 19 and have always been fine for it (it?s supposed to help my skin as well, which it does if my ttc skin was anything to go by).

So, not sure if it?s my pill causing this or the stress and anxiety with work/DH that?s being amplified by my hormones (and it?s winter, I bloody hate winter).

Sorry for thread derail. Just trying to sort out my thoughts in my head. DH said I shouldn?t go to work next work, but I will only slip further and further behind if I stay at home doing nothing. That just makes me feel more anxious, more under pressure.

Not all doom and gloom though. We got the ball rolling for our trip to NZ this year by going to travel agents. Normally we would just book everything separately ourselves and leave most of the accommodation until we got there, but can?t imagine doing that with M. Would rather have a clearer itinerary and be able to enjoy it than wondering where we?re going to sleep the next night. It?s the same travel agent DH used to book his trip to meet me

[MummyDuckAndDuckling]

Yay for swimming and walking!! That's fab tally! S loves swimming too. I'm trying to get her a swim jacket (one with floats attached) as I hate arm bands and want her to be confident in the water.

All quiet here. Tooth number 10 close to breaking the gum. She may just have a full set soon. They've came in fast enough the past 4 months!

[TallyBear]

All quiet today? Is everyone off bulk buying pee-tests again?

Dh and I had today off and took Seb swimming; he's not been since about July. On my God, he LOVED it. He had a HUGE toothy grin on his face and was splashing like mad; I'm gonna need googles for next time! He loves his bath and I guess this was like a big bath with mummy and daddy and loads of other people to gawp at.

He's really getting the hang of walking now and really enjoys it. We got him a little pair of snuggle feet shoes and he looks so cute in them. .