November '05 - babies getting bigger, mummies getting smaller!

[novadandypowder]

A nice new thread for us all - I know someone mentioned it a few days ago

might LOL.

Have found a great offer for our tickets, but have to leave the 19th or 26th. Most likely to be the 26th :o Feeling quite excited.

Someone is fed up trying to suck their toes ...

Morning all

Oh, that sounds exciting ChaCha, where might you be going? I need to hear all about others exotic, sun-drenched holidays as we will only get as far as a week in the Isle of Man this year.

Shattered here after a bad night. Ash settled as usual (9pm)
but woke at 11pm and didn't settle again till 1.30am then was up again at 3am. Not sure what was going on, something wasn't right but don't know what. Eventually brought him in with us and we all slept pretty well from about 4-7am. Of course he is now fast asleep and I'm not Am meeting up with a few mums and children in the park this afternoon which will hopefully keep me going for a while longer but Tessa and DH have been warned that I will be an irritable wreak by mid-afternoon - just put me in a corner and feed me chocolate

Can I have a really proud big sister moment please? My brother has just done his training and is now a fully-fledged lifeboatman. As if having a full-time job and six children wasn't enough Can't begin to say how proud I am of him.

Off to find mundane tasks to keep me going.

hi all
congrats to you brother tessasmum!!!!:)
Not long till we go on holiday (can't wait)we are off to malta on 20th june for two weeks sun, sand, sea and...... ice creams!!!:)
Diege let me know about the dates. At the min the washing machine is on the blink arghhhhhhh has been since last fri and still no sign of parts arriving:( :( soon we will all dissapear into the giant washing mountain that is taking over the house!!!!!:(
must go as im off to physio soon
twinkle & joshua

Hello All! Hugs to all those with sick LOs. GG - fab news about dhs leg brace thingy coming off. fingers crossed things are now on the up for you.
Diege - read the cover of heat whilst shopping - but there were so many other KK stories didn't know which one you were referring to!? The one on Heat was a Kate Moss style headline (IYKWIM).
Chacha - no not going back full time - will be going back to work 4 days a week (Tues - Fri). and Yes I do drive.
Tessa - excellent news about your brother - you are right to be proud of him.
Twinkle - how on earth are you coping without a washing mahcine???? I would be sooo lost without mine, it is nearly always on!!!
Don't think we are going anywhere exotic this year, but are going to Southampton for the weekend tomorrow - which will be nice.

Brownie & Thomas
x

Afternoon guys

Nova sorry to hear you have been feeling down, you should have said, that's what we are all here for. You have coped fantastically while your dh has been away for 3 weeks, I know I'd never have coped, I get a bag on if mines away for the weekend What you said about your dh is really lovely and good to hear. Natalie is a very lucky little girl having parents who adore each other and her.

Hope Natalie is going to teach the others how to sit up nicely at the meet on the 18th Sounds like she'll be ready to join in our chats soon too as Thomas said he quite agreed with everything she said

Laylasmum sorry meant to wish Layla a Happy Birthday, didn't mean to ignore her hope she had a fantastic time. She is absoluely gorgeous by the way have you thought of putting her forward to the modelling agencies?

Chacha lucky you, where are you off too? You'd better be going on the 26th as we don't want you using packing as an excuse not to come to London

Londoner, thanks for the sympathy, what is going on in our corner of the world at the moment - I can't beleive we are all getting so many illnesses, hope your dd is feeling better today. Having your mum round will be lovely, mines back on the 21st and I can't wait.

Tessa congrats to your brother what an absolute star, although with 6 kids I bet he's just glad to get out of the house where does he find the time for any other activities other than being a family man?

Diege Happy Anniversary for tomorrow, enjoy your night out tonight lol at missing the telly!

Candi thanks for the morale boost, I have only managed to catch one of the colds thankfully although it did leave me without a voice for a week and sounding like Joe Pasquale when it did finally return!
As for the foul mouth, I'm not proud of it but yep I can give lessons if required. I was brought up in a mainly male dominated environment and always got told "excuse the french" or "Ooops didn't see you there love" whenever someone swore.

Has anyone seen Nanny McPhee? Lovely film but did it really have to have all the kids saying a rude word each. Ben has picked up on fart and finds it hilarious that they teach the baby to say bum - he reckons he is going to teach Thomas to say it as his first word - so my boys will be taking after their mother if I'm not careful

Sorry if I've missed anyone but I had better go as Ben has turned a couple of chairs into the Jolly Roger and if I'm not carefull he'll have Thomas walking the plank. Yesterday while I was getting the dinner ready I put Thomas in the bouncer, turned round when Ben said "look at this mum" only to find Thomas spinning round at warp speed 9 after Ben had wound him up like a top

Hope everyone is enjoying the sunchsine Beks

Hi everyone..

Should have been going out for a posh lunch today, but the little guy's a bit unwell after his t.b jab yesterday so I'm just staying in and ploughing on the cuddles instead.
Has anyone elses lo had the t.b jab?
Shame as it's beautiful weather! Hope spring is finally here to stay. Hoorah

beksmum - oh no a porrly household agin! don't know how you mange! hope everyone is well again soon. Lol at the 'jolly rodger' and the bouncer incident sounds like you need eyes in the back of your head..and in very room for the matter..heehee

Nova - bet you can't wait to see DP agin..I'm sure you'll have a fab day catching up.Why shouldn't nat mention your df's partner btw? just to be nosy..lol

chacha - hope you make it to the meet up! But understandable if the holiday takes priority! ..I know what you mean about racism both ways..I've been hassled before by stupid schoolkids on the bus/train etc. Lol at Z doing puppy like frantic kicking..O does it too..it's so sweet
we've just got him a kick toy that is a big soft piano..he loves it!

Londoner- we are night owls too! nothing better than curling up in front of a film late at night and eating naughty snacks like cheese platters..lol

oops i flipped the thread to make it easier to read and reply..then scrolled up to the top and almost replied to ancient posts..teehee

Happy anniversary Diege! hope you are pampered and spoiled! how was the driving lesson?

jenjam - you sound like a true domesttic goddess!

for those of you having trouble organising going back to work. i thought flexible working for parents was demandable by law? i could be wrong, but guess companies will always try to find a way around it.

Sorry for those who i've missed..now I see why i tend to check in on here more often lol!

Very funny thing happened to us yesterday..me and O got chased by two very big mean looking geese on the way bck from the clinic..i must have looked a real sight 'speedwalking' with the pram to get away from them..
must carry a breadroll in my pocket when i do that walk again as a diversion tactic ..hehee

Hello everyone

Bike riding didn't happen . Owen wanted to go to park 1st and started following some teenagers round - he prefers playing with older children than those his age - which was fine to start wiht, then they started blocking each other into the tunnel slide, and wouldn't get out when Owen went down it. I went over and asked them very politely to move, they started mumbling stuff avout being stuck, at which point i flipped. They soon got out and skulked off over the fence shouting obscenities back at me (only when they were at a safe disance though) . Owen then said he just wanted to go home bless him so we're going to go to the park near us tomorrow, hopefully there won't be any horrible kids there.

Diege - have a great night out tonight, and Happy Anniversary. Good luck with your driving lesson.

Candi - sorry to hear about the loss of your 1st husband, so happy for you that you've now found love and happiness with your husband and have a family together. hearing of other peoples sadness and seeing our friend after losing his wife makes me realise how lucky I am that dp's ok.

Nova - I'm sure your having a really good time now that dh is back, and I bet he's making such a fuss of Nat.

BEKs - lol at image of Ben and Thomas with bouncer!

Tessasmum - Big congratulations to your brother, you're understandably incredibly proud of him.

Brownie - have a good weekned down with your family, you'll only be down the road from me!

GG x

GG x

Hi everyone! Ive been so busy the last week or two that coming on here is an impossibility, especially as ds2's behaviour has got worse, were spending every day in the garden all day for the past week just to get ds2 out the house and hes less likely to break something outdoors!

Alfies feeding is still troublesome, went back to exclusive b/f for a week or so and have slipped the evening bottle back in now but he wont feed now unless lying down in a quiet room bit annoying as Im pretty much stuck at home as he wont feed whilst out and I can hardly lie down in the middle of starbucks/tescos/the bus........etc...!
Hes doing really well though and now weighs 13lb 13oz!!

Have been busy booking theory test- am taking it 2nd May, still having driving lessons...and have got interview date for college-26th april!! Am really looking forward to going back and I think alex will really benefit being in a group setting with other children.

hmmm, think thats it for now, hi to everyone, hope I havent missed too much -Theres too many posts to read through!
L x

Hi ya

Rodeo, meant to say earlier well done Inspector Clueso, I wondered what had happened to CP3 so she's MaddyD now is she.

So glad that they have had better pregnancies this time. They must be so happy Beks

BoB - the DTs had the TB jab - the first one they had at about 6 weeks old I think? No problems with it tho.

Re: flexible working - employers must legally 'consider' applications for flexible working, no gurantee they will agree to it.

Nova - hope you enjoyed the re-union.

Evening :)

Just finished the finishing touches to dd1's easter bonnet for school - although she's used to the fact that she never wins these things, I said 'Ooh, do you think we might win with this one?' her reply - '(sigh) Mum, just forget about it....' I used to think I was good at these things but you should see some of the spectacular pristine bonnets some of them bring in! But you know the child has been nowhere near the thing....but they still win!

Anyway.........

Chacha - Lovely, a holiday! Where are you thinking of going? One of my bfriends has flown out to Australia today, I am envious! All that sun and warmth :)

Busy - nice to know you've not disappeared!! I heard a good bit of advice about little boys - that they need a good run out everyday - like dogs, sounds a bit derogatory but it's true in my little boys case! Boundless energy and always breaking things - but v. loving :) Today he'd been playing in my MILs back yard and came in saying he'd found some onions - he'd only dug her blooming daffs up!

BoB - Your unauthorised absent was noted! Hope O gets over his jabs quickly!

Nova, hope your all snuggled up with dh tonight. Loved image of little Nat bashing away on the keyboard :) And sitting unsupported? A Nov baby first!!

Diege - Hope you had a great night tonight. Happy Anniversary Mr & Mrs Diege :) Yes agree about friends babe's weight - I wonder if they got her dates wrong? She wasn't due til mid May! I'll ask :)

Ooh GG, sorry to hear about your incident in the park, hope it didn't bother Owen too much. I've turned in to a right dragon when it comes to teenagers swearing, belting past on bikes, dropping litter etc. Especially when I have children with me. My usual line is 'DO YOU MIND!' in a haughty Mrs Bouquet voice - don't know where it comes from!

Right, better go, just recieved a cup of tea and Dairy Milk and dp wants to browse online Autotrader - we need a diesel estate as current car is getting a bit past it. Any suggestions?

Did anyone read the Mumsnet holiday newsletter? Has some great tips for travelling with children, here's the baby tips in case you missed it (for all you lucky people going away soon )

Babies

Make your baby's car-seat more comfortable by placing a folded blanket under his knees so that they are slightly bent.
If your baby is in a rear-facing seat, tape brightly coloured posters or photographs to the seat for visual stimulation. Minimise moments of chaos by tying favourite toys onto the car-seat itself (just make sure the string is short enough to avoid him wrapping it around his neck.)
If your baby starts crying once you are on the road and you are unable to stop, a gentle chest rub and softly spoken nursery rhyme can work wonders.
A bottle and food warmer that plugs into a cigarette lighter is ideal for meals on the move.
If you're flying bear in mind that even with just one piece of hand luggage most of your things will need to be stored in an overhead locker that's hard to get at. Keep the paraphernalia you know that you are going to need in one small accessible bag that fits just under your seat.
Small babies are much more sensitive to air-pressure as the plane climbs and descends. Crying helps clear their ears, though you may prefer to give them a drink, as swallowing has the same calming effect.
It is worth knowing that pushchairs are carried free on airlines and can often be taken right up to the point of boarding. Officially, though, carrycots are not supposed to be brought aboard (though airlines will often concede so long as they are collapsible). Availability permitting, you're best off pre-booking a sky cot or bassinet. If you can't be certain of one (charter planes rarely have bassinets) arrive early for check-in and ensure you ask for bulkhead seats. This provides enough room to park your sleeping baby between your feet and the bulkhead allows room for changing, plus a mini play-area out of the aisle.

Evening!!!

Just got in from Asda getting all party stuff for Layla's party on saturday!! 26 kids coming must be mental !!

Thanks for all the bday wishes for Layla , BEKS did think about modelling thing but she starts school in sept and i'll be going back to work so wouldn't be able to commit to it!! She can also be very temperamental at times! But thanks for the compliment!!

Went to see Layla in her ballet group today , me my mum anf mil were the only daft ones with tears rolling down our cheeks!! They all looked so lovely though!

Rodeo we've got a Citroen xsara picasso which i love! its the 2.0 hdi deisel model and its dead roomy , you can take seats out etc, its not too expensive to get a 3 or 4 year old one either might be worth a look.

Right ladies off to bed now dh moaning about the keyboard tapping!!Nighty night xxxx

Just popping in briefly & I haven't managed to catch up with many posts.

Beksmum, I really enjoyed our chat but I think it was way longer than an hour! Hope boys get better soon.

Jenjam, any chance of the recipe for that malteser cake you mentioned. Sounds de-lish!

Spent all afternoon with my P/N ladies & we really get on very well. We're starting to open up & talk about the nitty-gritty & I was able to talk to them about my problems with dp. It really helps having someone to talk to, even if they can't offer any advice.

Ella has been waking more than usual at night for the last 2 evenings. Hope this doesn't mean I have to start weaning soon..... (can't be arsed, if I'm honest. Boobs are soooo user-friendly.)

Will catch up properly tomorrow. Hope you're all well. X

Morning,

Rodeo, great travel tips, thanks! Lol about your mum's daff bulbs, oops! Good luck with the Easter Parade.

Layla - good luck with party tomorrow...... hope it goes really well.

Hi Busy, lucky kids being outside, that's exactly where I used to spend all my time with them when mine were younger, it really is the best place for bouncy little ones! Although it sounds tough you having to feed Alfie so carefully these days, is it because he's easily distracted now he's older and more aware of things going on around him?

OoPs E awake, gtg..hi everyone else!

Morning all.

Busy, I know what you mean about too many posts to catch up on these days. I have a similar problem with Ella whilst bfing, she turns her head round "exorcist" style whilst keeping my nipple in her mouth....ouch! Now I prefer to feed her whilst sitting on my bed, wrapped in a blanket.

Diege, hope you had a fab meal, was it very romantic?

Rodeo, the picasso looks very big & I wish I'd got one instead of my Meriva. The pushchair takes up ALL of the boot space.

GG we had a similar problem with some foul-mouthed kids at a play park. DP is a copper & let them know about it, IYSWIM! They have no respect for anyone these days. Ooh, I sound like a pensioner, don't I?

BoB, nothing to be embarrassed about.....geese can give you a nasty nip!

LASM, good luck for tomorrow. My advice, have a G&T in the morning & a Redbull towards the afternoon.

Well, problem of the week is......can't get her to take EBM from a bottle/cup. Grrr! She did it ages ago so I got complacent & didn't bother repeating it. Now she just spits it out. Will be working a few shifts in May so we need to sort it out. Might have to introduce baby rice made with EBM so at least she'll get some during the day. All tips gratefully received. Did an archive search & all I found was a playtex site which advised not forcing the teat into their mouth & stay upbeat & positve so they don't detect any anxiety from you. Didn't really want to start weaning unless she was ready. Pah. If it's not one thing it's another.

Taking DP to hospital for his pre-op assessment prior to having his nose op. He's having it on the 19th & I'll be in Norfolk that day so the poor little lamb will have to cope without me.

Morning everyone
Well, last night's anniversary meal didn't happen as we were both too poorly ; not horredously ill, but just heavy colds with streaming noses and constant sneezing; decided better to postpone so we can actaully enjoy ourselves and taste what we are eating . We're going out on Saturday night instead, and DH has taken today off too . Hey, at least I got to see my programme .
Good luck with Easter bonnet comp. RODEO: the polished ones don't necessarily win I should tell you. Last year when dds were both in nursery I bought 2 cheap straw hats and LOADED them with really kitschy Easter stuff, topped off with 6 inch ducks/rabbits and plastic flowers; they won joint 1st prize . The parents who had gone into total planning mode were a little pi**ed off to say the least .
Know what you mean about weaning KARMA; am happy with things the way they are too, and would happily feed milk forever!
L&SMUM: ahhh, ballet show sounds so cute ; I'm sure the others were just hiding their tears!
BAM how are the driving lessons going? Good luck with theory, you'll breeze through . I actually passed mine 3 years ago, but have to take it again as it's 'expired' . Pretty cross as I got 100% too, PLUS I have to do hazard perception that I didn't have before . Am pleased with my driving though, as instructor is giving me a mock test in a few weeks; it's no big deal, but I feel I must be making some progress!!
Hi to everyone else I haven't mentioned . Last day of school today, so making the most of the (relatively) easy day .
Diege

KARMA: had exact same problem with DD1 when I went back to work. Only 'solution' was giving her milk off a spoon which the nursery did, but it took a long time. This is worst case scenario. I did read up on this (very common) problem, and they say just perservere, they will take it when hungry enough ...pretty tough when you're going through it though. DD1 was taking solids at 14 weeks (recommendation then) and I just took solace that she was getting 'milk' (albeit cow's) from her yogurts/rice puddings (3 ounces in a petit filou apparently!)

Thanks for that diege. What bothers me is that I don't want dp throwing this back in my face when he can't feed her whilst I'm at work. I can just hear it now....."this wouldn't have happened if she'd been bottle fed", or "didn't have this problem with MY two kids".

Might start weaning next week. Will get Annabel Karmel's book as I can't remember what I did 9yrs ago with DS. When can they start having yoghurt then?

Karma - got exactly the same thing with Ash. Took a bottle a few times when tiny so didn't worry about it, then when we wanted to give him a bottle for last feed at night (so we could go out once in a while) he was having none of it - my calm, placid smiler went into screaming meltdown
Then tried giving him some milk in a little Avent bottle that you can put handles on so he thinks its a toy that just happens to taste nice if you get it the right way up. Started off giving it to him when he was wide awake and curious about the world and now have been trying to give it to him with his lunch and tea (he's been on solids for ages!) Its working at lunchtime but not at tea-time and if I try to give it to him after tea he goes into meltdown again. Only been trying for about a week so we may get there yet. HTH

Oh dear - I'm another one with beaker trauma! Need to get J to drink from something other than boobs before I go away for the weekend at end of May. We've been trying different beakers and shes had a few mouthfuls but nowhere near a whole feed, but think perseverence is the key!

Diege, hope you're feeling better soon - you're probably right to postpone til your both better :) So does that mean you share the same Anniversary as Prince Charles & Camilla? Or is theirs tomorrow? Bella didn't win, although we didn't hold out much hope! Rammie the DCFC mascot chose a winner from each class - I can only presume he couldn't see Bellas's properly due to his over large cumbersome head

Had a real bad poo situ earlier. I'd left J playing on her mat nappyless while I put some clothes away before her bath, and when I went back to her she was covered in poo, feet, legs, tummy, HANDS! [SHOCK] She was having a fab time, the little piglet. I think I got to her just in time before she managed to ingest any Serves me right, shan't do that again!

Have a great party tomorrow L&Smum try not to get too stressed (not sure if that's possible) It's my sisters birtday tomorrow, she'll be a quarter of a century! hehe! We're all going for a chinese buffet tomorrow lunchtime to celebrate! Yum!

Speak later x

Rodeo - Rammie !?! DH wil be very !!

Rodeo.... think me mad, but faced with that dilemma with ds1, I managed to teach him to drink with a straw, although he was 7 months, you never know. What I did was to put the straw in the drink then create a vacuum by putting my finger over the top of the straw, then putting the straw with drink held inside into babes mouth and letting them chew it and get a feel for it and then to let tiny amounts of liquid out at a time....they soon realise that it is possible to get drink from the straw and try doing different things to acheive the desired effect eventually (hopefully) arriving on sucking..... He used to get loads of attention for this trick and it made life pretty easy as far as weaning went. Worked on my other kids too.....worth a try? You never know, lol. Only drawback with this method is they need to be (at least semi-)sitting up....

Thought I'd share some good old fashioned tips with you from an old household manual I inherited....

"THE MILK

The mother, while suckling, as a general rule, should avoid all sedentary occupations, take regular exercise, keep her mind as lively and pleasingly occupied as possible, especially by music and singing. Tapioca, made with several eggs, may be taken freely; but all slops and thin potations, such as that delusion called chicken-broth, should be avoided, as yielding a very small amount of nutriment, and a large proportion of flatulence. Lactation is always an exhausting process, and as the child increases in size and strength, the drain upon the mother becomes great and depressing. Then something more even than an abundant diet is required to keep the mind and body up to a standard sufficiently healthy to admit of a constant and nutritious secretion being performed without detriment to the physical integrity of the mother, or injury to the child who imbibes it; and as stimulants are inadmissible, if not positively injurious, the substitite required is to be found in malt liquor." (their italics)

     <img loading="lazy" class="inline-flex mumsnet-emoji" alt="Shock" src="https://www.mumsnet.com/build/assets/shock-7MJQdU1X.png"> lol <img loading="lazy" class="inline-flex mumsnet-emoji" alt="Grin" src="https://www.mumsnet.com/build/assets/grin-D7Eg_B6y.png"> lol

Love it! But thank goodness for MN and more modern times eh.......

Happy Anniversary Diege (by the way I did try to catch up on posts and only got as far as how you got your names -- Diege I always pronounce you Dee-aje, kind of French, in my head. Candiemom I just made up as Candie is a bit close to my actual name). Saturday sounds perfect.

BoB, I hope you don't mind but I think that is so funny about the geese as a Canadian I can tell you you did the right thing they are evil and dirty. Once one chased me and I was driving in my car!

Londoner WHERE did you get that hilarious exerpt!! THose old manuals are very funny my friend is forever quoting How to Have an Affair written in the 30s or something which is very amusing.

BAM we are getting fussier too when eating -- head turning etc. She needs to be truly hungry or there's a lot of playing going on.

Karma, talking is probably the only way you will feel you are making progress -- I have yet to find the person with 'the answer' to steps! But sympathy, humour and experience really helps.

I'm sorry some of you are having difficulty with the bottle. As we've been on bottles since my FTBF (failure to breastfeed) I won't be much help but I DID do research into the most breastlike teats when I was realising I'd have to bottle feed and tried several variations -- the most natural and best for baby and mom turned out to be avent. I use the variflo ones now that she's over 3 months which are designed to give you more flow control. You can pump right into their bottles. Your babies may be so used to being in charge of the flow and teat that this may help. The straw solution is genious Londoner! I love straws and always have... but enough about me.

Tessasmum congrats to you brother -- what a terrific accomplishment and interesting career!

Rodeo, that very thing happened to us just the other night after no poo incidents to speak of. I came in from running the tub (Gina does say to let them be naked whilst you run the tub see? I have read it...) and there she was in a pool of green poo (that's the colour courtesy of Nutramigen) looking totally happy with herself. She so loves being naked that I got some more of those disposable changing mats for this purpose. And this morning for the first time since she was about a month old she peed without her diaper on. I wonder what it all means... Happy bd to your sis did I tell you my sister is pregnant (due July, all ok) at 44 years old?? Her two sons are 9 and 12, same age as my stepsons so I'm selfishly thrilled as our family structures will be so similar.

We are still fussing at night and in sleep. Now that dd can turn over we often find her on her tummy, flip her back over and then there's more fitful sleeping. I am VERY tired this week as she seems to need more and more feeding. And just when I think I'm going to grab a nap during her naptime, someone calls.

LandS's mom -- have a fab party, sounds like glorious pandemonium.

Thanks for the thoughts re my late husband -- I forget it is hard for people to hear about sometimes. It is the circle of life, and looking at my dd I do just say my thanks to the powers that be and try to live in the present.

Well, we are getting our new oven installed as I type this -- we have been without one for weeks and weeks and microwaving everything. This has done wonders for my getting back to pre-preg weight diet, but I'm totally out of the Nigella mode. Fortunately, the hob is still to come so I don't have to get back on the wagon just yet.