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....

I freeze stuffed pancakes but can't advised on the vegan ones but I xan't see why not?

mous every 3 days! I'll need to find the energy

CP sounds fab, how many are you expecting? Can't believe your DS is one already

SB sorry it wasn't meant to be this month. Keep trying

IC I, too, am in awe of your coping skills so don't worry about the odd shout. It happens to us all every day now and then. And I agree with NK about how sensible you are in asking for help when you need it. Too many of us me included are too stubborn and plough on when we should really get help in.

survival how are you? Sleep deprivation is the worst thing in the world. Are things getting any better?

Rainbow, mous, nk and everyone else, hello

Things with me are fine. DH is still trying very hard, with just the odd slip up. He is definitely much better at the weekends - much more engaged and lively with us, rather than slipping into slob mode - but the weeks could still do with some improvement. He is drinking less and trying to be a bit more organised too.

My DDs are good too. DD1 has started a few after school activities and I'm a bit concerned that I've become one of "those" mums. But maybe being aware of it means that I'm not? Anyway, she is learning piano and going to theatre classes, both of which she loves, on top of her Rainbows and swimming. She gets tired, but seems to enjoy it all and is staying on top of her school work (and I have rotas with other mums to make it all a bit more manageable for me!). She will be six years old next week

DD2 is doing well. We still haven't had an accident at night and she is so sweet in the morning as she comes in to give me a kiss and cuddle and tell me that she loves me and that it is 7am. Bless her. Such a lovely way to start the day. She seems to know all her numbers and letters and is loving books and imaginative play. She ADORES her sister. She is my little ray of sunshine though she has some two year old moments when she decides she doesn't want to wear tights (in October)/eat cheese (which she loves)/brush her teeth (which she also loves) etc

As for me, I am busy with work. Busier than ever, it feels. I'm not sure I have the juggling act right yet, as I find I am only just managing all my work, the girls, the house, being a governor, being a PTA secretary and my ILs. Sometimes I forget to phone my mum and then I feel I have failed. But it is all good, most of the time.

science and those with older ones, did you give the older one a present for the younger one's birthday (if that makes sense). DD kinda gets that it's DS's birthday but keeps mentioning it will be hers too.

I was just thinking of trying to get DD to learn some number by sight to help with telling the time, but getting to sit still long enough to do some book stuff. Although we've started on those floor puzzles if I get DS down in the mornings and I was surprised at what she could do. She saw some other kids being really active at song time today so that was it, 10 mins of running round in big circles ensued. Meanwhile DS kept crawling into the open cupboard while a few of the helpers were putting away toys.

cp no, I don't do a present for the older one at the same time as the younger one gets birthday presents (or vice versa) but at the end of the day, I will do a "Thank you for being good" present at bed time. I do this on mine and dh's birthdays too. The dds never seem to remember that this happens and it's a nice way to round off the day as it's usually a book or pyjamas (that they needed anyway or I had put to one side). Makes for a good bedtime too

Didn't Bc get her DS a doll for his first birthday CP?
Your nosh ideas sound yummy!

FX for your DH keeping it together Science and a big yay for the dry nights!

Boo to AF arriving this month, SB - here's to the next cycle!

Thanks for all the votes of confidence!

We've started toughening up on DD - her behaviour is getting beyond a joke and mine and DH's patience is wearing very thin. So as well as all the positive stuff, we're moving into Supernanny territory, giving DD a warning then a time out followed by an apology and a hug if she disregards requests to do/not do certain things. Seems to be getting through, but it's early days. I've had enough of her rudeness and deliberate defiance and having a new sibling doesn't mean she can get away with it as far as I'm concerned, even if it does explain things (but she was already getting worse before DS arrived).

We shall see.

DH and I have also decided we're going to tackle potty training when half term rolls around in a couple of weeks. We're going to take DD shopping to buy Big Girl Knickers plus another potty/toilet seat/stool etc. then go for it.
Can I have thoughts about travel potties? CP you have a potette, I think? Any recommendations from your experience, fellow Febbers?

No travel potty here, just a spare one (1st price in Boots which was smaller than the home one) put in a bag with a bottle water and some nappy bags (to dispose of wipes and poo). I wiuld not bother with a toilet seat 2nd time around as DS never used the one we have as he did not feel safe in it (this remind me I need to put it for sale). Good luck with the behaviour and pt.

PS: DS has been promised that he'll gave his toys back on Friday if he behaves nicely at nursery (aka does bite anybody).

Have not gave

CP yes we buy a smallish present for the other DS but not for grown up birthdays.

IC I've never bothered with anything other than lumping the main potty around and finding a drain to empty it into! Recently, I have to confess to carrying an empty coke bottle with a lid for emergencies!! There have to be upsides to having two lunatic boys!!

Hi to all. Have to got to bed as it's a work night!

Debenhams black carrier bags are good for a little discretion when containing a potty (and big enough too).

CP No present if it is not your Bday here (they have to learn young enough that it is someone else special day, especially if they go to some Bday party soon). Anyway there is always some GPs or friends that will bring something for the other siblings.
BTF DD2 didn't have any trouble last time (she liked the packaging better) but she didn't have to wait too long as her Bday is 10 days after DD1.

IC no travel potty here, a few emergency stop between cars, but after 1 or 2 months I made her wait for the next pit stop with no accident (good because she does sometime ask in the middle of the metro, I wouldn't use a potty here either). IMO it is far too much faff especially with a small baby with you. Most places you go to have toilets and are willing to let small children go.

I got DD the travel one after carting the big one round for a few days and realising the frequency was not going to change anytime soon. She has now consolidated her wees and can hold so we rarely use it. I'd see how it goes and what her pattern is. I don't regret buying it though, especially with her love for al fresco weeing, it helped to say no we do it in the potty and be more strict with it. She only does frequent wees now if we are somewhere new as she likes to the toilet and using all the new different combinations of toilet/potty and bits of soap.

IC I have a lovely John Lewis pink toilet seat thing if you want it... dd2 never liked it and just uses the big loo.

I am one of those who never took a potty with me anywhere either... We are never that far from a loo that dd2 can't hold on (having said that my two appear to have bladders like footballs).

As for presents for siblings, I am a bit soft it seems. I always get at least a token present (a few stickers, small car, bouncy ball) for siblings under the age of 5. I agree they have to learn that it's not their special day, but I just like to see their faces light up when they get a small parcel to unwrap . I have also been known to get a proper present for a toddler sibling and a small present for their baby sibling (let's face it, the baby has no idea and the toddler is going through quite a change)

SB Keeping fingers crossed for you for next time

That's very generous of you NK - if it's no trouble that would be lovely!

Thanks for all the thoughts on potties on the go. I'll take CP's advice and observe DD's pattern before deciding whether to cart one around with us or not.

I remember me and my sister getting unbirthday presents up to about age 5. I don't think it spoiled either of us unduly!

Well, DD was much better behaved today. Whether the Supernanny technique is already paying dividends or she simply got out of bed on the right side remains to be seen. I took both her and DS to Spanish playgroup this morning (first outing just me with the two of them) and it went very well. DD was very well behaved and DS pretty much slept in the sling the whole time - even through a nappy change for DD. They're currently synchonising naps at lunchtime, which is a godsend as I'm able to grab a recharge Z or two myself. DS is only waking a couple of times per night, but the windiness and attendant squirming and hurrumphing is a major sleep disruption for me, even if DS stays asleep through most of it. I'll be very pleased when he's started making enough lactase to stop it happening...

IC Maybe a nice opportunity to come on a brief visit sometime soon... ?

Gah I just wanted to do a quick post but I have had nonstop interruptions for the past hour, it is beyond a joke!!! Stop ringing doorbell!!! And I have ILs due in 10 minutes now and not tidied up Not that they will notice actually as they all live in squalor (harsh but fair I'm afraid).

In no particular order

IC we have never used a travel potty - DD has been happy to use big toilets when out and about (without a booster seat) from the start. I suppose they are all different. She does 2hr car journeys now without a nappy (DH's doing, I was still nappying her). Great that you've had a good first solo outing with your two. It does get easier and easier (saying that, it is nice and easy when the baby is still just eating and sleeping and everyone wants a hold anyway - I hardly knew i had DD2 for a few months).

SR fab that your DH is behaving himself. Long may it continue. I am that your DD2 knows all her numebrs and letters. Is that very early, or am I Mrs Slack (I know I am ) in not considering those yet?

CP when is DS party! Happy birthday to him! You are making far more of an effort with food than I plan to with DD2's party. I am doing bread, cheese, pate, crudites and houmous, and crossing my fingers that my dad will offer to bake the cake as he did for DD1. Then I will get everyone drunk so they don't notice the lack of culinary effort

SB shame about AF this month but better luck next time. TTC is tiring but fun

survival how are your boys healthwise and sleepwise atm? And you?

Waves and hugs to everyone else. I really do have to put some toys away in the playroom, which is still our only living room 7 months on from moving in. We are desperately trying to finish the real living room before DD2's birthday or basically we would have to cancel her party, there is just not enough room without it. So a good motivating factor.

Oh and we won't get DD1 a present for DD2's birthday. Perhaps some family may, that was never done for us as children and so I'm not used to it I suppose and I also suppose I'm quite old-fashioned in my parenting I have discovered and I don't think it will hurt DD1 to realise that it is DD2's special day and not hers.

scones it is on sunday and i only think about as half the standard party food ware isn't vegan, plus have to be soy free as well

I admit the idea of a sibling present always seemed silly before but then DD started coming out with some stuff. I think we'll be fine actually as in reality it will be DD 'helping' to open the stuff and I know GP's will get some odd bits of clothes anyway.

DD did the scotland trips with no travel nappy on.

Hi everyone - finally got a chance to post.

DD has been in full wonder week 26 mode from about 23 weeks and I am just seeing the light at the other end of the tunnel. She's actually asleep now in her pram (with the raincover on as she fell asleep when we were shopping so I'm a bit worried and keep checking she is still breathing) but for about the last 4 weeks she's been incredibly awake and demanding.

She started on food about a week ago and there's no stopping her. Very different to DS - she hates to be spoon fed so it seems I am doing BLW properly this time after pooh poohing it a bit when it didn't work with DS. Shows how different children are, also his dexterity and muscle tone were nothing like as good as hers because of his low birth weight and prematurity.

DS has been pretty good. He still likes nursery - adores his key worker, Joel. I am going in on Monday to do baking with the kids.

SB Sorry you aren't pregnant yet - still early days. x

CP Hope party goes well. Sounds like you're very prepared. Someone put a recipe up on MN for sweet potato falafels that I did for DS's second birthday - they were very nice and, I think, vegan.

Last night DS was singing tunelessly to himself "milk, miiiiilk, milk, milk, milk" and I asked him if that was the milk song. "Yes", he replied "shall we put it on youtubes"?

I'm buying falafel's from sainsbo

DS has only in the past month let us spoon feed him. Hope you get a restful period with DD.

DD is not sleeping so I've chucked waybuloo on to get some quiet time for me.

No travel potty here too. Have been guilty of alfresco weeing as cp puts it, when we're in playgrounds where there are no loos close by. actually there are usually no loos near playgrounds, why? And when we are out for the day in London, DD is in her big girl pants with pull-ups over so that she'll realise if any accidents. So far none! If out for an hour or so, we put her in the bright bots (thanks again mous) calling them her going-out pants. Conversational approach to potty training works!

bc at your DS and YouTube

science wonderful to hear things improving. Was thinking about you the other day and keeping fingers crossed for you and DH.

scones DD learnt her letters and numbers from an iPad app. DH downloaded one a few months ago. I can find out which one, if you're interested? Starting online self study early.....

Toddler entertainment ideas - Made DD some flour and water mix dough on Sunday, with some food colouring drops in of appropriate colours. Add some cookie cutters. DD completely engrossed for 2 hours.

ae'd say now that the weather is wet (i) weeing outside will be better than when it's a dry field populated with loads of people and (ii) you'll be outside less

rainbow DD used to like it so much she would just do it at able points. Normally while I was putting DS into the car and then I'd hear her shouting 'I'M DOING A WEE WEE'.

started doing some online stuff with DD learning wise so if you know of any normal places that can be accessed with a laptop that would be good. Although I only do it in the rare cases of DS is asleep and she's up. Unfortunately DS is saying goodbye to morning naps.

dd2 is furiously independent in using the loo now but just had a bit of a panic moment, shouting that she had poo on her hands... I took the opportunity to suggest to her that I really didn't mind helping her when she does a poo. Hope she remembers because she is not very good at wiping.

I have absolutely no idea if dd2 knows any letters at all or recognises numbers (I have heard her count to 17 though). dd1 started reception aged 4 and 2 months not knowing all letters and not counting to 20 reliably. A year later she is absolutely flying, so I am not worried about dd2 for at least another 2 1/2 years . I don't think I'll sit down and teach her either because I can't see the benefit of her knowing the alphabet at 2 1/2 to be honest. If she shows an interest I will obviously answer her questions, but apart from that I tend to just let her potter. She is currently sitting on my lap having a very animated conversation with a small magnet, a wooden ladybird and two hair bands.....

DS can count to 10 in French and recognizes the letter S because of his initial. I'm not to bother yet. How many colours do your LO know? For DS every is blue and when we say the correct colour he goes oh yes.

Bath is over so I' need to go