FEB 2010 Two and a half to three...the "contrary age" (no it isn't! yes it is!)

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Come in, sit down, fresh coffee is brewing, Prosecco's in the fridge for later and there's a bumper box of Lindt chocolates for all....

stoof fx it all goes fine. And breath...

We went out tonight with DS as DH fancy going out fir a steak. DS acted very well and entertained himself with the car he had as a reward for his good week. We were back home by 7.30pm and he happily went to bed

Glad the sample was clear IC.
What's up CP?
Gosh Stoof that must have taken you right back... We get mucus from our two, but that's not saying a lot given their digestive issues I'm afraid.
DS2 actually slept through the night!! He has a tendancy to give me a break for a night just when I reach the point of putting him on ebay!!
DH and I have had a lovely day shopping on our own. I've bought some material to sew the boys some Christmas sacks and I'm feeling very enthusiastic. Now all I have to do is remember how to use a sewing machine (especially as I've borrowed MIL's and can't risk breaking it!!)
SB we seem to fend off the night terrors as long as we 'runkle' him at about 9:30p.m. (This means give him a bit of a shake/move around in our house!!)
BC how was today?

just the illness, it's dragging on forever. DD is in a lot of pain with her mouth and today just being more tired and grouchy than ever. To be fair DS was better, although he did sleep lots today. Then again I had DH round to give him undivided attention during his naps and rock him as required. DS is also only feeding twice a night at the moment, which is great as DD is requiring so much input.

I was one of those impatient mums today dragging DD round some shops and being a bit huffy with her She's fighting sleep, so even though she needs some naps while she is ill, she gets very upset about it all. Bit disappointed I took it out on her (had tried to put her down and after too much time and shouting I took her out instead) and couldn't quite shake my mood. While she is tired and hurting she has a habbit of throwing/hitting things including at DS.

DH was off yesterday but he will reschedule. He has another interview for that London job he turned down on Wed (it was readvertised in the end with a higher salary). We're still doubtful the conditions will match tbh especially as we won't consider moving so chances of salary meeting commuting costs are low. That's if he gets it of course.

stoof hope it's nothing

SF here's to another good night and the sewing machine is always better once you're doing it in my very limited experience

SB :)

CP i've been a cowbag all day - foul temper, ragingly cross and I'm not sure why? i've been a shouty grotty grump and i'm not proud?

two gulp and sniff moments from DS today (prior to the full scale panic, which though it's subsided is preventing me from having a glass of wine!)

1. came belting into house, grabbed tea-towel from pile under sink and ran back into garden? next seen holding arms aloft at bottom of the big fir tree with tea towel spread between them, calling for cat and trying to encourage her to jump into his tea-towel, saying 'me rescue, me rescue'

2. he lost a magnetic letter down side of fridge and couldn't reach? I used the broom handle to grab it and he beamed at me and said 'mummy magic'

yep? even less proud of my shouty grotty grumpiness?

i'm off to bed, hoping to sleep the sleep of the carefree? yeah right

(still, it's my turn for the lie-in tomorrow?. which means of course it'll be the one day in the fortnight when I can't get back to sleep after 6am, however hard I try :))

night all x

stoof it'll also be the day they sleep until 9am if you are on the lie in

Seems to be a lot of poorliness around, hope everyone gets better soon. bear I don't want to be alarmist but do get your ds's cough checked out. My dd1 did the same and had asthma. It's been wonderfully under control since diagnosed and three years in, she appears to be growing out of it but I had many nights sitting with her in bed coughing before we got there

Had a odd moment with DD earlier.

We were doing her new puzzle when DH took DS up to bed. Part way through the second time, she announced she didn't like her lion and then cried that she didn't want the lion looking at her after initially laughing I found something to cover the lion up with. She was quite tired tbf but was taken back with the idea of not wanting to be looked at.

CP DS doesn't want to see birds either real or in books. I don't understand this neither

Oh blimey, DD has quite a few neuroses of the types you mention, CP and SB - there's a puzzle she refuses to do because she doesn't like the horse in it. And there are certain Charlie and Lola episodes she won't watch because of representations of animals.

Yesterday she was terrified of a talking Woody doll a friend of ours had - I had to cuddle her while she sobbed with pure fear.

Still, on the plus side, she managed to do two non-traumatic poos yesterday and today. Dare I hope we're entering a new more relaxed phase of defecation...?! Meanwhile, I've ordered a few books to hopefully help her feel more positive about doing a poo, let's hope they do the trick and the withholding comes to an end soon.

Here's hoping all the poorly LOs get better soon. DD's a little bit sniffly, but otherwise we're having a respite from illness for the moment.

Long may it last.....

Good news on the poos, IC.

DS has had a few things recently he's said are scary that DH and I can't see why - the noise his toy fire engine makes (not very loud and he's had it for ages and never been scared of it before) and a book but I can't remember what it but I know it wasn't scary in any way, shape or form.

And the night wakings where he wakes up yelling for one of his toys that's right next to him. Also shouting that he's wet when he isn't but won't believe me so I have to change his pyjamas before he'll go back to sleep.

Science Thanks for tip. I will make an appointment at the GPs. It seems worse at night and if he is upset so it might be I suppose. DH's brother was quite bad with it as a child and oddly my mum developed asthma when she was in her 40s but neither of us has ever suffered.

People keep asking about DD's name on baby names. I thought it was classic but different, seems I wasn't the only one. Really hoping it doesn't take off as much as eg Evie/Iris/Olivia - would be annoying.

I have found a great way to get DS out of a crying fit/tantrum - find a small animal toy and make it talk to me then tell him what it says. Could be anything, today he cried because I broke his meringue so I got a little pink robot bear to come and smash it up more and say 'smash smash' in a robot voice. He thought it was funny and stopped showing off immediately. I don't know if there is any similar advice in Playful Parenting cos I haven't read it yet but I assume it is the sort of thing it would advocate.

Sounds like you've hit on a good technique there, Bc! I'm sure Mr Cohen would give it the thumbs up!

DD completely took me by surprise today. We said telly all done as otherwise no time for stories. She then asked us if she just had two stories could she watch one more

(sorry, know just been doing me posts but energy severely lacking)

We are just generally plodding on here.... Still have issues with the nursery eg. dd2 needed the loo before we left today and there was neither soap nor paper towels for the children to use (now also supplemented by learning that dd2's best friend is leaving, too, because the parents aren't happy). I've reduced days to two a week from now (inofficially, will just keep her home one day) and officially from December, and will then give notice in December for dd2 to leave at the end of January. She had two hours play in her new school nursery class on Saturday (open day, I only went to drop off dd1 who volunteered to help and didn't mean to stay) and I haven't seen her so happy and animated for ages! I can't wait for February because my mummy guilt will be much reduced knowing she's having a ball in nursery rather than just tolerating it and waiting for me to collect her

CP Clever little thing!

Pyjama day in nursery and dd2 is totally refusing. She's appalled at the thought of going out in her pyjamas because they mean you have to go to bed and sleep... She's very particular about things being just right, so I offered her a top and leggings that look a bit like pyjamas instead . I think she's a little young to get the idea behind charity days.

nursery situation sounds horrid, must be very emotionally draining on you :(

I'm supposed to be working...

Sympathy on the nursery situation, BG (nice to have that name back again!)

I've just been to see a pre-school near us as a possibility for DD - needless to say, DD strolled in as if she owned the place and started helping herself to the toys. They seemed very nice and it was a huge space with a not-too-big group of happy children suitably occupied. It's mornings only, but that's okay (especially if DD keeps her afternoon nap going! She didn't sleep today, but usually she does). DH and I were going to wait until we got the government hours at Easter, but now we're thinking we'll send her early if we can scrape the dosh together as she would probably get a lot out of it. Might help with her various neuroses too!

The thought of a couple of mornings a week with DS only is making me swoon...!

IC good that you found a pre-school you and dd enjoy. Fx you can find the cash

BG how is your dd2 doing?

I'm on the edge of applying for a new job which is far better wages but (and it's a big but) the woman to contact is so busy she hasn't been able to see me (or call me) so I don't even know which FT hours they expect me to do! Still need to finish mu application (will probably write it at work) and decide if I post it or not. The + is that it is still for the States which means I keep all my leaves and allowance (ie maternity leave) the - is the not knowing if they're happy with my hours (8am to 3.30pm with 30mn lunch).

Sorry very me post today

Waves to all. I hope the unwell LO and parents are feeling better x

I feel a bit more myself again IC

I've had a bit of a trying day today... Dental appointment for a minor filling replacement went wrong when my dentist did a precautionary xray and discovered a rather larger problem needing urgent(ish - appt Jan!) attention. It's going to be £££ Then when I had just got in my car to go to work I got a call from nursery saying dd2 wasn't herself and had just projectile vomited everywhere, and could I maybe please pick her up immediately. So I scrapped my work plans and collected a very poorly, very pale, very quiet child. She lay on the sofa all afternoon either snoozing or watching Charlie and Lola, bless her. dh has taken a day's leave tomorrow to stay home with her.
Oh, and it's got to be three things going wrong, right? Our washing machine has packed up again... Serves us right for getting cheap carbon brush replacements rather than the actual brand ones . I guess it's worth repairing one more time although part of me thinks, sod it, just order a new one.

SB x post. Sounds promising and worth applying for . I am also keeping my eyes open for something closer to home. The commuting is getting more difficult to manage esp with ever rising fuel prices. We have two ancient cars. One is a diesel and very economical on the motorway, but the heating doesn't work (nor does the radio volume control, but I can live with that). The other is petrol and not very powerful, costs a fortune to drive the mileage I am doing, but the heating works....

Poor you bg that sounds an amazingly trying day!

Been lurking again the past couple of weeks as I've had to travel last week and have been very busy at work this week. Wanted to say thanks for all the feedback on vege / salad eating from everyone. I'm very with the raw carrots and cucumber eaters.

On the potty side, a thought if you're shelving for a bit ic. We talked DD through what she would do when she was ready to wee on potty, a bit like the athletes visualising what they would do before they did whatever they had to do it. Then leave it up to her to decide when she is ready to wee and poo on potty. That's how she practiced pooing on the toilet before we removed the nappy permanently. She thought she would try it first and told us she wanted to give it a go. She sat a couple of times when she wanted to poo, so by the time she said she only wanted to wear big girl pants she'd practiced pooing and weeing a few times. Also each time she'd wee or poo in her nappy we'd just mention to her that when she's older and ready she will wee/poo in potty.

Like the lateral thinking cp!

Sounds interesting, SB!

Argh, NOT a good day BG, hope DD2 is on the mend today. Our second hand (last year's model) reconditioned Bosch washing machine was £150 - not too bad! Can you pick up a pre-loved item somewhere in Cardiff? (If not, I can recommend the Bristol shop!)

rainbow sounds like a good approach! I think we need to help DD break her poo phobia full stop - she doesn't like doing them in her nappy either, it's not just a problem with doing them in the potty/toilet. Yesterday she pooed in her nappy without a trauma, which is the third in a row without drama - it's a good sign, I think.

Meanwhile, the poo books arrived today: Where's My Potty? Everybody Poos and Uh-oh, Gotta Go - DD instantly entranced by them and has had all three read to her several times over already. We'll see if they'll help her continue to be more relaxed about the whole business of doing her business!!

I think DD is on the mend, two wakings the night before and only one last night (even if it was a while and still resulted in bed sharing).

DS is also doing better and only woke twice last night and actually only fed once at 5am! The 11pm waking was swiftly dealt with by DH.

DD is currently doing a long nap... on her floor at that usually means she has a wet accident but it won't be on the soakable mat under her sheet. Took her back to tumbletots today and signed her up. I feel guilty about not taking her to the park enough and teaching her climbing etc. so this is a nice way to do it in a warm environment where DS isn't crawling around wet grass.

dd2 was absolutely fine today so I think her sickness was a one off. Hehehe, glad she kept it to nursery so I don't have to steam clean any carpets... I do have a suspicion that they don't actually give her vegetarian food, but can't prove it. Her sudden projectile vomiting may have something to do with it because she is not used to digesting meat. She seemed rather pleased that she couldn't go to nursery today because she was sick yesterday - hope madam doesn't get ideas!
dh was home with her today (he volunteered immediately - think he fancied a duvet day) and they had a lovely time.

Waves to everyone, hope the poorly dc are on the mend.

I saw my first fully kitted out house today: fake Christmas tree with all decorations, fake snow on the window, lights outside