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

Hi everyone! Just back from a curry at our local Indian, so stuffed . TWINKLE: yep, Tues 25th sounds great, at our usual place in the food court?. Our weather was bad here too (hail), though nothing compared to you . MY mum and dad are in Marbella and you're right, it's hard not to be jealous when they're telling you it's too hot!.
NOVA: I've been wracking my sponge brain about the strawberries thing; you're right, there is something, but can't for the life of me remember what. They do seem to be in a lot of purees though, so I wouldn't worry. When I weaned dd1 it was honey that was the big thing to avoid, though you do still see the odd jar with it in . BOB, loved the extract - can you imagine rinsing out your knickers every night . Hope you had a good outing today .
CHACHA: what teats have you moved onto? I swear by variflow. Have had them for about 4 months though, and haven;t got new ones yet. Remember with dds1 and 2 that I replaced them every 6 weeks or so (not that they showed signs of wear)???? Can;t remember if you should or not, or just an Avent sales ploy .
Right, bed for me!
Diege

OK I tried but I can't read a week's worth of posts! So I'll just have to hope there's nothing too interesting!

BoB - if one of the times you smoke is when you get drunk I would say stop drinking. It would be worth it because of how bad the smoke (and example) is for your LO. Also I disagree with Londoner abt you always being addicted (sorry! ) and you gave up once already (which is great )so you CAN stay off. But you may need to be radical about getting rid of whatever's causing you to do it.

Maybe 2morrow I'll get back on and read one hours worth or something!

hello everyone - it's me again, poking my head around the corner
nova sounds like you are well and truly into the weaning - how's it going? any top tips; i'm itching to get started but might try to hold out for another couple of weeks until F is 5.5 months old. can't remember why did the HV say not to start weaning until 6 months?? I know F would love to try some food because he keeps following my chocolate and biscuits with his beady little eyes. think i'm going to have to start eating this stuff in secret.

ok, gotta go james wants some help with putting F in the baby door bouncer thing

weaning is going so well at the moment - this morning she was launching herself onto the spoon and I couldn't fill it quick enough. JenJam - I've been guided by the Annabel Karmel book, she has a chart in the back that spells it out for you and it's given me the confidence to now deviate a little from it. She does one meal a day for two weeks, but I did it for 3 weeks as I wanted to go quite slowly as we weren't quite at 6 months yet. Then AK does 2 meals a day for 2 weeks, this we started on monday and Nat's really going for the food now, but again I'm going to do 3 weeks of it so that I can keep up with AK's chart. Then we go into 3 meals a day of proper food. I'm freestyling with the purees at the mo, I've given Nat some of the alternatives to the ones in the chart. So far we've had success with:
Apple
Pear
Banana
Papaya
Melon
Carrot
Squash
Parsnip
Sweet Potato
And limited success with:
Broccolli
Potato
Avocado
Am about to make some to try this week:
Pea
Dried Apricot
Blueberry

Londoner i will post a recipe later (wipes hands on pinny); (then wipes child's nose)
BoB how's the not smoking going?

F is very funnny in the door bouncer he is doing a little jig to the beat of basement Jaxx Rende-vous

SS are you feeling any happier?

sorry have to go - DP keeps saying 'are we going out then, are we? are we? are we?'

ye olde fashioned advice made me laugh esp. bit about greeting the gentleman at the door. (snort)

hi nova,
thanks for info. what annabel book have you got. i've been handed a second hand copy of annabel's new complete (although i think it is old) baby and toddler meal planner 10th anniversary edition (2001). it has a 4-6 month weaning section then it goes into 6-9 months. have things changed in your version?

wow you have tried alot. like to hear how you get on with the dried fruit

Morning everyone Hi NOVA and JENJAM, well impressed on the weaning front , wow, never eaten half of those things myself! Welcome back BEAR ; how was your week away? dds (1 &2) out with DH for 40 mins, so getting stuck in cleaning kitchen floor ...well, will do when off here . Getting seriously frazzled about the state of the house (I have odd days - usually twice yearly , when I get like this, usually after I've lost something!). I think because I'm going back to work soon that I just want to get things SORTED! Looks like I may be taking 0.8 after all (ie. 4 days a week, but possibly one of these days working from home, which would be ideal. I'm on a final salary pension though, and am a bit worried about how that will leave me if I drop from full-time to part? Any financial experts amongst you? (for some reasons, GOLDEN springs to mind, may be way off mark!)
Well, Libbs is ABSORBED in the TV tennis, screeching at the players - I've never found Greg Rudeski particularly exciting myself .
Speak later,
Diege

Diege - yes it will affect you pension, but only significantly if you intend to be part-time for years and years and years?

If so, you end up with a pension based on your final salary of your part-time rate - not good, but as you are only dropping to .8 it won't be a massive difference

If I were you I would buy as many added years as you can - this should help.

You can pay upto 15% of your gross salary into your pension to buy added years. No risk in doing this - if you change jobs, your added years are added to all the others and you take it with you to pension scheme in next job.

I'm on a final year salary pension of 1/40 - i.e. have to work 40 years to get a full pension of around 50% of my final years salary! Needless to say, the only way I will acheive anything like this is to buy added years.

Thanks GOLDEN . Yes, like the sound of the added years thing, and will definitely mention it to 'human (sic) resources'! Think I'm actually lucky compared to many, inclding you by the looks of it! . Can see why they've stopped final salary for new staff!
Well, DH has taken girls to beach, although it's rainy and v.cold here . They are looking forward to it though as he's taking the beach tent, and has promised a 'bear hunt' (gets them every time!).
Bye for now,
Diege .

Oh and you've reminded me actually of something else they said at meeting...that any 'flexible' change was permanent (ie. would be difficult for me to return to full-time at any point - seems like they win all round , less wages to pay out in short and long term, as they won't be replacing my day with another staff member. Oooh, you've started me off now

Hi All - back from our weekend away in Southampton, it was the first time Thomas had been away from home for 2 nights (he has satayed at Grandma & Grandads before) so it was a proper little holiday. He did very well sleeping in his travel cot, no real fuss at all. What a star.
Diege - Ooh more JK goss - you really must get this texting thing sorted, else will be waiting for months to catch up with those of you who are going to the London Meet (am v. now! but like some others, not keen on big cities!) so will wait for the text!
We haven't started weaning here yet, T is 20wks on Friday - and like others, he is transfixed when we eat! and he gets v excited when I put his bib on and opens his mouth and grabs for the bottle when it comes near him!! Bless. Am v impressed with some of the weaning efforts by you guys! You put me to shame, and with the cooking stuff and housework posts! Although have borrowed a pies & tarts book, and intend to make beef and red wine pie soon (made steak & guinness pies the other week - yummy!)
My goddaughter and her brother were hyper this weekend, and I have come home with a spongebob squarepants tatoo on my arm! (temporary only thank goodness!) WE all had them applied by her yeaterday, as they were free with her comic!! Very fetching, we have all this to look forward to!!!!!
Also, those who were looking for some cheap clothes - got some fab outfits from Asda for ½price!!! lovely shirt & shorts set (for summer) for £3.50!!!!
Tried to catch up, but not done a v good job (rubbish at remembering all questions and who said what!). Must go, as can hear T screaming whilst being put to bed - he wants his Mummy!

Brownie & Thomas
x

P.S forgot to say - Diege, that doens't sound very "flexible" then does it?????!!!!!

diege (i also pronounce deeej) - hmmm agree with brownie; hope they are not calling the change flexible, sounds like a one way street to me. i'm also dropping down to 4 days (....for a while)

golden - i'm very impressed with \your knowledge of stuff

Me too Jen - I am going back 4 days a week starting on the 25th April (aaggh only 2 weeks away now!!!) I have been made aware of the effect it ha on my Pension (also FS, but then I work in the Financial Services Division, in the Training dept, so have lots of people around me who can explain such stuff!) also am fully aware of what happens with Bank Holidays etc (esp cos I will be having Mondays off and that's when most of the BH are!!!!) Pleased to say, I don't lose out!

Brownie

Hi everyone, hows your weekends going?

Twinkle - are you up Sunderland way then? I saw all the snow there yesterday, we never get any down here, I've seen snow about 3 times in my life .

Sean's getting around in his walker, he pushes so hard and just goes back and back til he hits a wall! Measured him 2 wks ago, he was 70cm, putting him on the 99.6th centile .

I'm going out on Friday for my friends birthday, last time I went out was her birthday last year, so getting VERY excited, shopping trip ahead, hehe, may even have to buy myself some new shoes any excuse .

Meeting up with another MNer tomorrow down the park, who only lives round the corner from me. It'll be nice to make some of my own friends who have children, as all of my friends are single/not interested in having children yet.

Diege - Are they really allowed to do that? So much for 'flexible' working, what happens in say 15yrs time when you don't have to worry about LOs and want to go bac to f/t are they really going to refuse you? I'd be very cross if it was me.

Hi, just a quickie because I'm 'pinny-ed' up (Jen!) and making Sunday din :) Dp has taken the children off me and headed off to the reservior with them as he's been at a Martial Arts seminar (boring!) this afternoon, we've been watching Madagasca (surprisingly good) and slowly driving each other mad.....

Weaning - (Nova great list!) J has so far been enjoying apple, banana, pear, brocoli, cauliflower, potato (hard to distinguish from cauli in it's icecube tray!) and carrot. And a few jars. Although she did have grown-up porridge this morning and a sliver of toast (for the first time) seeing as she's 6 months on Monday! I'll puree up some Sunday dinner for her tonight too....

Bob - love your extracts. I read that the supermodel Gisele rinses her knicks out in the shower everynight - that's what they do in Brazil apparently!

My horses didn't win me any money yesterday, one fell at the 1st, and the other finished 8th I think!

Right, back to the grind!

Rodeo - I wanted to try cauliflower as it's one of my faves and will go great with cheese sauce, but AK says it can be hard for LO's to digest, so I'm holding off it for the mo. I tried her with the avocado again today but she's still not a fan, which I'm really surprised at (don't know why, just assumed she would like it!). Think I might be making it too thick, any suggestions anyone? What bread do you use for her? We use the one with seeds in normally but I guess thats a choking hazard? Do you use wholemeal?

v. exciting - just got a good deal on a quinny zapp through Kiddicare - buggy and footmuff worth £189.99 for £119.99 - bargain!

Nova, J loves the cauliflower, as it purees up nice and soft, maybe the avacado is too thick, J used to turn her nose up at potato but I watered it down with a bit of milk, think she found it a bit claggy! I put a bit of butter in her potato and broc today for the first time and she wolfed it down! I would like to say I used wholemeal but it was Hovis white I'm afraid, with a slathering of butter (I am half Irish!). I thought I'd give her ago with fingerfoods, not sure if any went down the hatch and was a bit paranoid she would choke but she seemed to enjoy the experience :) We're turning into weaning bores aren't we?!

BTW J in her Quinny Zapp now and I love it! What colour did you get - we've got the red

Hmmmm, just been watching The Royal as 2 separate people have told me my lookalike is on it! Don't know who they're on about!

Diege, how was the Indian last night? What did you have? Love Indian food :)

Right, 24 s on

x x x

Just been on the Kiddicare website - wow, you did get a bargain! Did you get the bright orange? Didn't think I'd get away with the orange up here, I get enough looks out with the red one, I get stopped all the time (people don't get out much around here!) I found the only downside is the wheels are a bit noisy and it doesn't lie back, although J still manages to sleep easy enough in it and she's never in it for too long. I am bringing it to London next week though, hope she'll cope ok, may bring the sling too? I'm missing Jack so better go :)

Hi everyone
Layla's party went really well 25 kids a bit manic and when your the parent you don't get to join in much do you? But hey the kids all enjoyed it!!

Great deal on your Zapp Nova. We've just bought the Buzz which is bigger but its lovely , dead easy to push and get loads of comments about it ( Like Rodeo says people up here don't get out much!!)

Rodeo/ Nova or anyone are your LOs in high chairs yet? Seths not sitting properly on his own yet he can only do it for a few seconds so still beibng fed in the rocker or in his Bumbo!!!

Diege your work sounds like they are being a right PITA !!! You'll just have to keep hoping for a lottery win!!

Anyone got any plans for the easter hols? Or should that be survival techniques?! Any tips pass them on

xxxx

PS ( Rodeo, check your mobile !!)

Hi everyone . All ready to wean now, having heard it from the experts! Nice to have people a few steps ahead to inspire, though I know I'll always go back to the jars.... Tried Libby with a little soft spout beaker today, but she just flicked her tongue out like a lizard, so will try again in a few weeks. Also tried a few spoons of puree (courtesy of Mr Heinz, ahem)after she drained a bottle, but she's still at the tongue pushing stage; at least my curiosity has been satisfied .
RODEO: must watch the Royal next week to see your double! Could you tell who it was? If so, who? My students always used to say I looked like a certain famous person, but I won't say who as she looks so unlike me it's embarrassing! (in my dreams!!!). Curry was great BTW, though didn't eat till 9.30 though had booked table for 8 , still, nice to get out!
Agree that 'flexible' arrangement is laughable, but then when did any business put interests of its employees BEFORE their own (cyncial side coming out now, but I've seen it so often in Higher Ed) Haven't had formal meeting yet (have to wait until they are all back from their hols), but not holding my breath. ON the plus side had a good shopping spree this afternoon on internet (mostly Next)as just realised trackies and comfy jeans aint going to cut it in the office! .
GG: you must be really excited about your evening out next week...you must DEFINITElY buy something new, esp. if this is your first night out in so long!!!!(shoes are always an investment; who's ever worn a pair of shoes only once?)
BROWNIE: DH is giving me a text lesson tommorrow, so you can be my first victim . BTW, nail lady said that she can easily get me tickets to JK show, so if anyone fancies coming with me (its based in Manchester) just let me know (not sure I could look him in the eye now though .
NOVA: So you're a Kiddicare fan too; aren;t they brill? Will you have buggy with you at meet? I'm probably taking thr McClaren which has same prob as RODEO mentions (not lying flat) though Libby also has no problems sleeping propped up ; whether this will be the case on the train to London though is anyone's guess!
Diege
PS: my excitement is reaching fever point now - this time next week I'll be seeing you all in 2 sleeps time

Had a great time Diege - even tho' it was a conference i hung out in the house most of the time and relaxed and chatted, so it was not tiring. Plus we drove back in the evening so there was no traffic, no feeds and no crying Caleb which was also a lot less tiring!

Just realised how little I know abt weaning when the choking hazard of seeds in bread was mentioned - never would have occurred to me OK tell me everyone - what do I need to get to be prepared - a highchair, an AK book, what else? Handblender? which one? Cup? I really am clueless so step by step instructions needed

Oh just in the last week Caleb has started to be hilarious! I drove to church this morning with him in the car seat in the back with his head turned all the way to the side looking at me the whole drive - distracting or wot! And he's doing 180s on his back and turning onto his side, and kicking furiously, and lifting his head up - all in the space of one week! I miss him when he's in bed ATM I'm trying to train him to stay in the playpen on his own for periods of time so I can get a bit more done and also prepare him for being confined at crawling stage!