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....

CP how is your DD today? Fx the long sleep did her good

She is a lot better. Woke at 10:50 and napped 1:30-3:30 but fever seems largely gone.

CP Glad to hear she is better

oh CP hope you're all ok.

happy new year everyone? busy busy here (I'm on annual leave!!!!! :-))

Happy New Year All!

Good to hear your DD is better CP!
I forgot your DS had skin issues. What did you do, out of interest? The cream the GP prescribed helps the itching, but doesn't seem to clear it up. I end up applying it several times during the night (and you can tell DS finds it soothing, he'll often stop fidgeting after I've applied it and will move his head from one side to the other while I'm putting it on so I cover the whole area).

Better sleep last night anyway, thankfully! Home-made sleep positioners, muslins under DS' head (think the lambskin aggravates the eczema) and two sleeping bags (hands-in Peke Moe over a Mothercare one) seems to have dealt with most of the comfort issues. Only three wake-ups last night after I went to bed - even though one involved a nappy change, it still felt much better than the hourly fidget-fests of the previous few nights.

DD is very chirpy at the moment and keeps coming out with priceless remarks she's either copied from us or from Charlie & Lola. Movicol regime continues - we went back to the GP and he was pleased with her progress, but said it's likely to be another 3-6 months before we can think about reducing the dose. On the plus side, DD has now decided she likes to eat rice, which is a useful addition to her repertoire - and we've found some tortellini with tomato and cheese that she'll also eat (she doesn't know it's tomato - thinks it's orange cheese) - any way of sneaking a wee bit of "veg" (I know it's fruit, really!) into her has got to be good.....

How are you SC?

DS has mild eczema and I use Salcura Zeoderm. Been using it for 2.5 years.

How are you SC?

Itching is tough as everything can't be used for too long. We haven't tried oats in the bath, but he smears porridge onto his head everyday anyway

we were quite hesitant about using the hydro-cortisone in the beginning but first time we used, he went straight to sleep. I've now learned that any redness we need to get it out again straight away.

Initially we also supplemented with diprobase but we now have cetraben. One is a greasy vasoline base the second an emollient. Diprobase worked when it was on his scalp but not when it moved onto his forehead, face and neck. His scalp has been alright, we're wondering if he has reached a critical mass of hair helping to keep oils in. We still cream it though as dry skin and cradle cap (which always precedes the eczema flare up) starts returning.

three wakings most feel bliss after the hourly ones.

I have left DD to go to sleep by herself tonight. We'll see what happens, can't work out if I am imagining hearing saying stuff or not.

She's asleep. We still told the scary monsters to go to sleep first and I've heard here telling them (by herself) to get down or go home. Hopefully we've turned a corner. We'll ignore she spent last night in my bed but that was after 11 as she crying out every 15 mins or so. That's normal on the tail end of lurgy though.

CP how did the night go?

I'm enjoying a child playing by himself moment DS has now got a good collection of Cars characters and he's well happy entertaining himself with them - unless a race happens. His speech is coming along nicely (but he's still behind his friends at nursery) and he should move to pre school on his birthday week.

Ttc failed this month as DH was not in the mood fx next month will be the one

:( sb

hmm sleep, well DD was crying out every 30 mins so I put her in with me around 1am. I have however just got up (I didn't go to sleep until 1:30 and then had a broken night with DD. DS was great though, feeds at 1:00 and 6:00.

DD had mild eczema and we used to use Burts Bees buttermilk lotion with her?. DS has not such mild eczema and we're on diprobase and oilatum baths - fortunately now only when he's under the weather rather than every night - can always tell when he's getting ill as his skin is the first thing to change?

actually i've diprobased him tonight - slippery little sod he was whilst I was trying to collar him? no stories or supper tonight (first time!) cos he was such a little grot bag? i'm proud of myself that I didn't lose my rag or shout, despite coming close? he dropped his nap about a month ago, and some nights when overtired he gives me the run round (though not his dad?

cp and ic I really do hope you get some decent kip soon? we've been extremely fortunate that DS has always slept much better than DD - still now? DD (touch wood) has improved the last few weeks - but (I'm sorry cp) at six we still have more broken than unbroken nights with her? she's a bit of a worrier, and as soon as anything is bothering her, her sleep is the first thing to go :(

had DS out of his nappy today.. three accidents so not too bad? i suspect however that he'll not cotton on as fast as his big sis did-he's got his dads lazy gene too which i don't think will help

i'm off for a glass of wine or two...

you should be proud of yourself

I'm under no illusions with DD, pretty happy if her normal becomes one night waking again and don't mind co-sleeping when she is ill. Before our normal was one or two wakings about half the time. Would be happy if she goes back to going to sleep by herself. I was there for 50 mins tonight. I think DS will get there before she does.

Next week climbing and normal tutoring starts so i'll be out the house three times a night so it isn't really sustainable.

I think I can hear her stomping around

I wonder what we will talk about once they all sleep? Do you think we'll still be chatting on here when they are 15 and we can't drag them out of bed?!! DS2 is waking for an hour at a time during some nights again, but it always seems to take an age for his tummy to settle after any kind of bug (even if not tummy related). I've found a cows' milk protein allergy/intolerance support group on facebook (through mumsnet) and I have to say I've been on it a lot this week as all the mums on there are dealing with similar things. I am sooo keen not to hog this thread in 2013!! I've also come across two very sad facebook pages (through friends' liking them) this week and it has made me try even harder to appreciate every minute with our gorgeous DCs. In fairness, they've been trying hard to play together which is lovely. We've had quite a quiet holiday as they've both taken ages to get their stamina back after their fluey virus (sends improving vibes to SC).

SB sorry to hear that. I think I would feel very frustrated in your position. I hope next month falls at a better time.

Eczema here too. DS1 has grown out of it but DS2 has a constantly covered bootom. We found epiderm works best and cetraben in the summer when a) it is better and b)he needs something less 'heavy' due to the heat. I'm seeing the dietician with him again this month and suspect that we need to twiddle his diet a bit more as he's definitely not right at the moment, but I can't really put my finger on what the problem is.

Have done loads of work in the last few days as am training my own team for 2 hours on Monday (much more scary than training strangers!). Hoping for an easier term though before the Summer onslaught.

Off to steal Stoof's wine....

I know, I feel bad as it feels like it's all I moan talk about. I have a odd compulsion to give updates but at the same time realising no-one cares, including me

DS still needs metanium for every nappy change. I hate diprobase but it is good for the heavier stuff. At least half my clothes have diprobase stains, plus a few of our walls (he likes putting his head on them as they are cold).

how is your DS1 now survival?

I'm ready to give up my reading for the night, can't find what I need. Need to give my proposal a colloid spin for a new application. So far I have...'QDs are like colloids' and the rest of my proposal left unchanged. Don't think that will quite cut it

I've managed to stay awake all day today without needing to sleep! Started feeling like a toddler because dh would send me off to bed after lunch because I looked so unwell, then I gratefully slept until about 4... Coming up to two weeks after flu struck, so just as well I am getting some energy back, just in time for going back to work . We've had a strange day today and dh and I felt somewhat behind by an hour. This morning dd1 came to wake us saying it was nearly ten o'clock. I ignored her thinking she'd got it wrong but then dh looked at his bedside clock and confirmed it was indeed 20 to 10 . First ever proper lie in since having children! There must be hope for all of us!! No idea how we'll all get up next week for school, work, nursery though.

I got dd2's nursery uniform the other day . It's just skirt, polo shirt, tracksuit all with teddy logo and very very cute. Not sure who is more excited for her to start her new nursery after her birthday, her or me. She's also busy planning her birthday and is adamant she wants a new scooter (luckily there is already one in a large bag on her wardrobe... ). She's started telling me quite elaborate stories now which are largely made up and usually don't make much sense . I'm sticking to my only new year resolution of paying more attention to my younger daughter because she is naturally more quiet than her sister and gets overlooked. It will be great for her to be in a nursery environment where she is one of the youngest among 3 and 4 year olds, rather than now where she is one of the oldest.

OK, "galette des rois" in the oven, just the crowns left to make... It is fun to be help by a 2 and a 7 yo (or not ).

SOC good that you are better, It is a bit crap that it happens during holidays but probably more practical (or is it convenient in english?)...
I am sure your DD2 will love preschool (not sure about the uniform so early ) good luck.

CP good luck with the work.

For all with sleep problems I commiserate, I have just DH left to train

SB good luck for next month. It is good to hear that your DS speech is coming nicely.

We had some progress here too with DD2 speech, even if there is still a lot of issues. We had a day of "Happy ooh ear" which most people understood perfectly ... She is super cute though, not sure I want her to speak properly any time soon.

hum the galette is ready I have to go get it.

Mous galette des rois!!

Forgot to say great news about the speech SB.

CP the good news is that on here we all understand about the sleep deprivation and will always sympathise. I suspect that people who don't have children have very little idea of what it is really like to live on such disturbed sleep for so long. Maybe IC can tell us how it compares ot her pre-babies insomnia? I used to have it myself from time to time but I don't remember feeling this foggy!

Mous absolutely no idea what you are cooking I'm embarrassed to say, but it sounds nice!! Loving the DD2 speak.

SC glad you are feeling better (and very jealous of the lie-in!) Hope you will all stay well now for ages.

Off to the gym after DH has had his lie in.

strange thing is, I don't think either of their sleep is particularly bad. Just the cumulative effect and the way they combine. Sometimes I wonder why I am tired when she only woke twice but then remember he has at least two feeds as well

mous it's great when they are going through a adorable phase. Hope it stays and you enjoy it as much as possible. at DH training.

today I found some chocolate in the coffee shop that is vegan. At some point when I wake up I shall get to work with gusto.

well will try something else next year

Sotu It is northen france's kings cake (puff pastry with almond paste inside)

CP at your last sentence

I don't mind the sleep updates! I feel the same compulsion, CP!

Thanks for all the eczema info. Diprobase is what we've got, but it doesn't seem to do much beyond provide temporary relief for the itching (I have to apply it several times during the night) - the patch doesn't look any better. DS' legs are okay though - the Oilatum baths and the coconut oil I massage in a couple of times a day seem enough for that. Think we'll be back to the GPs in a few days to try something else to clear it up. It's definitely affecting his sleep.

Yay to the lie-in and regaining your energy, SC! I'm contemplating a scooter for DD as well - she likes them and I'm in favour of things that encourage her to get some exercise. Now we've got a bigger garden, she can scoot up and down the concrete path....

Survival good luck with the new team etc! Are the boys okay at the mo? Not surprised you have eczema issues too - it's often linked to other allergies, isn't it?

Good news on the speech, Mous!

We're off to a Spanish Los Reyes Magos celebration this afternoon. DD can't wait!

DS had a scooter for Christmas. It's a replacement for his Skuttle Bug. He loves it. I'm now wondering what do get him for his birthday...

DD got a new scooter, one of the mini micro ones and she is a lot faster on that than the cheaper one we had for her previously. We got her a balance bike, she is not too impressed so far.

I have the micro mini for dd2 CP Now have to find a way to keep her big sister away from it...

Shockingly early start today (well 7) and it felt like I had palpitations until I got a coffee down me. Better get used to it again. Tomorrow's alarm is set for quarter to 7 and Wednesday quarter to 6. I think I can cope with being awake early, it's the getting dressed and ready part that I find tricky .

and SHHH!! I've got a day off work when the rest of them are at work, school, nursery :) :) :) i've got a big long to do list which I'm going to start as soon as I've made a cup of tea and finished catching up here!

finally got DH to agree I think that with planning and organising, rather than just stumbling through life, we can have more fun? we spent two evenings this weekend with a bottle of wine and pen, paper, calendar - making lists of everything that needs sorting, prioritising, making a weekly list, a monthly menu etc etc and my big task for today is to get our money back in hand again? we've stumbled through since getting back from NZ but our lifesavings cushion has just about disappeared now and we really need to be on it?

one of our agreements has been that we have an internet ban on sun/mon/wed/fri evenings - hoping we'll talk more and maybe even be more productive in terms of getting through the list of stuff that needs sorting. Or perhaps just enjoying watching a film together etc? we've fallen into the habit (out of sheer knackerdness to start with i think) of getting the DCs to bed, getting the daily chores done, then slumping in front of the TV with laptops on knees? whole evenings will pass without actually speaking or even looking at each other? we've only had broadband for 6 years - trying to remember what life was like before!!

right, am off to be productive!!