Still brooking no argument whatsoever that these babies are happy, healthy and awesome for 2013 too.

[jaggythistle]

eh. attempt at new thread. yo.

Morning. You all dropped off my threads list again. Bad Brooker. T and I have come down with another cough/cold. I've not been ill in years, now suddenly we've had 2 colds in 3 weeks. Lack of sleep affecting my immune system? Hopefully this'll be a short lived illness, I feel so sorry for T coughing away all night long. He sounds so much worse than I feel.

I should really catch up on all your news. I've been reading and thinking about you all, but posting on my phone takes so long. I'm glad pox is clearing up and feeding issues improving. Glad holidays being had, and excitement for new brooking twins.

I will get better at posting, I need to start getting T to sleep on his own in the evening so I get an evening. He wakes up within 10 minutes of me leaving his side, so I'm currently going to bed around 7/8pm and never see DH or get any T free time. It's getting a little old now, even though I love watching him sleep.

Hello all. You dropped off my TIO list too, but then I've been a shite brooker recently, only in it for the FB! I blame Candy Crush - it's what I do if I have a spare 5 mins.

E2 has had a nasty little cold this week, and for a couple of days was miserable, poor baby. However, silver lining - she's been sleeping better recently. I got 6 and a half hours all in one chunk last night. I feel like a new woman! DH is and as that would be a bad night for him - I think he finally gets how badly I've been sleeping.

Must go - E1 needs breakfast. We're off to the garden centre this morning. It always amuses me what a destination they are out of London, while here they're all shite functionality due to lack of space. No cafes, sheds or water features on display!

I may be the official worst Brooker.

DS2 is now 13 months so I've not posted for a month.

Have been tyring to read what I've missed but will do a quick update before DS1 gets up. DS2 is doing his favourite morning activity of feeding for ages. It's usually right when I'm trying to get up for work.

He is now really good at walking and also climbing like yours too. Danger baby! He is also going through a cuddly "don't leave me" phase. Poor little guy is cutting 3 huge teeth though.

We've been away for a week actually abroad on a plane with the 2 DC for the first time. Definitely not relaxing, but a had good fun.

Not much new for me, am quite into my baby wearing now, I have my ssc, a ring sling and a woven wrap to replace my stretchy ones that I lived when he was tiny. I am currently trying to master the Double Hammock back carry a its v comfy. See YouTube if you wasn't a laugh at what I'm trying to do! I mostly wrap in the house so DS2 can nap while I get stuff done.

Ring sling and ssc were great for the airport when we put tired big bro in the buggy.

R is trying some little words, mama, dada are the recognisable ones. Also Mi for milk and more food.

Pants DS1 up, maybe more later. (and less me me me! )

gen Didn't realise the NHS still funded the snip - will have to look into that on DHs behalf!
stacks I hope T will start settling without you next to him soon. We started a bedtime routine with our T about 3 weeks ago and now he goes to sleep quite happily in his cot next to our bed at 7ish so we have some evening back (after then repeating the routine for DS1!) and then spend most of the evening watching/listening to T on the video monitor!
smegs Hope E2 is over the worst of her cold and all ready for weaning! Glad to hear she is giving you some decent stretches of sleep too! Can't believe there are garden centres without cafés! That's no fun at all!
jaggy I think all of our sporadic posting is more than understandable - the small people do take up rather a lot of time alongside work, cleaning, life etc etc! Glad to hear you had a nice holiday.

We are off on holiday on Tuesday - 9 lovely nights in a villa in Turkey - can't wait!
DS1 is scabby but otherwise recovered from the pox so that's a relief We have spent the weekend cleaning and gardening so it's just the packing left to do whilst DS is back at school tomorrow. DS2 is lovely but I'm finding feeding hard going so after much heartache and guilt DH and I have decided to slowly start weaning him onto formula. For the last week or so he's been having one bottle a day of breast/formula mixed - currently a 50/50 mix but gradually decreasing the breast milk. I'm hoping by the end of our hols he will be happily taking just formula in that bottle and then I'll think about dropping another breast feed. It's been such a difficult decision to make but I'm fairly certain it's the right one for our family as a whole. Anyhow, TTFN - I shall be without internet whilst away so I'll catch up in a couple of weeks

Hi Brookers! I am rivalling Jaggy for most useless Brooker ever as I can't remember when I last posted. Lovely to hear from you, by the way, Jaggy!

I'm actually on the computer for the first time ever (usually post from my phone but DS is asleep and I've done a bit of housework so this is my reward - though he's likely to wake any minute now) so will try to type as quickly as possible.

Stacks I sympathise with your sleep difficulties with T. I haven't really got any advice as he's still quite small, but it's a pain (to say the least). I guess all I can say is this too will pass.

DS has been in our bed for most of the week after some dreadful nights of frequent wakings. We've had a couple of better nights but now I'm worried that he won't sleep in his own cot. Gah! When does it get better??? I fear more sleep training is needed, as he falls asleep next to us on our bed and then is transferred to his cot, rather than falling asleep in his cot. But I can't quite face it at the moment.

Olives I hope you have a fab holiday and that DS2 takes to the formula without any issues. You sound like you've thought hard about the feeding decision and are doing what's best for your whole family, so try not to feel guilty.

Dream glad the meds are helping with S's vomiting. He sounds like he's come on in leaps and bounds - walking and talking already! And B doesn't sound far behind if he's also trying to walk. How's the sleep for you now?

Here DS is walking quite well at home (though he often insists that I hold his hand for reassurance - I didn't realise how well he could walk until DH pointed out that DS just gets on with it when I'm not there). He can also say 'moo' but nothing else, I don't think.

Right, I'm going to post this then read back and post more if I can...

Right, Smegs hope E2 is all better soon. Colds are rubbish for little ones, aren't they?

Gen thinking of your DH and your family. DS sounds like he's doing brilliantly, at least. I didn't really encourage my DS enough with tummy time but it doesn't seem to have made a difference in the long run.

Little glad J is settling better now. Hurrah for meds that work! And good news about the weight, too.

Boo I wouldn't worry about the leaking milk - as long as K isn't bothered, it doesn't sound like too much of a problem. But if it goes on maybe you could mention it to the HV?

Scream hope your completion was hassle-free. When do you move in? Also hope little A is better now and you too - sounds like a horrible illness. I'm amazed you're coping with everything and being ill as well - you are incredible!

Musical how did you get on without DH? I found it bloomin' hard when my DH went away for a couple of nights, let alone a week! Hope you had a lovely weekend all together again.

Pomme glad you and DH are getting on better. Given what you've said about your MIL, I can understand things being difficult with the ILs. Hope it doesn't cause problems with your own family's relationships though.

DH and I are not getting on well atm. Actually, haven't been getting on well for a long time. Not dreadful exactly, but we spend very little time together and seem to be arguing all the time. I think we need to go out together without DS just to enjoy each other's company, but childcare options are limited and we haven't made it a priority so it's not happened yet. :(

Too how is the amazing climbing M doing? Hope there haven't been any more accidents.

OK, I think I'd better go and hang the laundry out as DS is still asleep ...

Smegs good to hear E2 has let you have a bit more sleep. I really hope your ds does the same for you soon Stacks.

Good to hear your tip about the sling on holiday Jaggy. We're going to Majorca next month and I'm planning on taking my stretchy wrap, not that ds likes it much!

Olives hope you have a great holiday too. I'll look forward to some more tips about flying with a 3 month old please!

Ds has been so unbelievably smiley and happy the past few days. I think it might be true what people say about the 3 month mark being a bit of a turning point.

Bumping as this fell off my TIO. You may have read on the dreaded FB that E2 is being rather disgusting today. I'm actually hopeful that she's got whatever it was out of her system, as she seems to have perked up a bit.

Just as well as E1 is going stir-crazy!

Yeah, posted too soon.

DS has chicken pox. :(

Oh no Pet!

Hope E is better Smegs.

Hope the illness goes soon smegs and pet.

Moving ds to a cot tonight. Hoping he likes it, as the little tyke was pretending to be a newborn last night, by feeding every 2 hours and not wanting to be put down!

Poor DS pet.

Hope he's not too bad with it and over it soon.

Pants, think we might have double chicken pox in the house. Thought DS2 had a couple of insect bites, but this evening found about 5 spot things in his hair and a couple on his back and side. Also a few on his face. DS1 up with a temp last night and this morning and has one spot on his back and one on his tummy. Found a crusty looking bit in his hair too which I know I had with cp.

Need to inspect them in the morning for more. DH thinks in being paranoid, but I need to know before I send DS1 to nursery or go out! Grr!

Uh-oh Jaggy - double pox sounds grim! But those spots sound ominous. If it is chicken pox I guess lots more will come out today. But let's hope it's insect bites!

DS is ok but not sleeping well, unsurprisingly. Piriton is helping him to nap during the day but doesn't seem to have the same impact at night. . I think we're about halfway through the spotty stage. He even has them in his mouth and on his eyelids, poor sausage. :(

How's E, Smegs?

Hope you've had some better nights, Stacks.

Oh, and Little how is DS getting on in the cot?

Def chickenpox, DS2 its covered this morning. Probably best to have it together instead of one after the other.

Not DS2 DS1! DS2 not so bad yet. .

Morning all. Terrible night last night with lots of unsettled gnawing on my hands from 11-1am, before culminating on full on screaming by 2:30 when I calpol-ed him, more screaming till 3 and sleep around 3:30/4 then awake at 5 and 6. He stayed in bed till 8 though which has been unheard of for the last few months.

He was also snotty, coughing and vomiting/reflux so not sure if it really was teeth. The screaming started with on/off bouts, settling for a minute or so before screaming full volume again. Hopefully it is teeth and they'll come through today soon. I hope he's not ill with another cough/cold, that'd be 3 in 4 weeks.

Really tired today, going to be stuck in the house mostly too, as its bank holiday and I really want to avoid traffic and crowds.

Little I hope the move to cot went well.
Jaggy and Pet hope the pox passes soon, it's good they've got it young at least, though I don't envy sick kids (especially not two at once).

How's everyone else?

Hey all, I am also nominating myself for worst brooker as not been on here much, not even kept up with other postings but I have good reasons for this, as I'm frantically planning our wedding :). All a bit of a last minute thing, we decided that if I get my own way I will be heavily pregnant next summer, so either we go for it now or wait another 2 years. Plus close family members may not be alive by then and it's important for us to have them share our day. So apologies for being a bad brooker until mid August!

Good luck with the planning Loopy!

Just came on to ask Pet how the spots are going? Touch wood DS2 still not too bad, but poor DS1 is writhing about itching at night, even after Piriton, cream and oaty bath.

Sooo tired today! Am going to be rubbish at work.

There is too much sickness around here, sending get well vibes as necessary.

Got back from our holiday yesterday, it was great to be back in Manchester. N was very good during the day while we were away but unsettled at night. Last night she woke at 1 and then slept until 8! It seems very cold down here after being in Manchester, we are lighting the fire today

Today it is her 1st birthday, where has that time gone?

Ooh wedding planning and family planning Loopy, exciting!

Hope you're ok stacks, and have had some sleep?

How are the pox sufferers, jaggy and pet?

Happy birthday to little N rubber. Are you having a party? Glad you enjoyed your hols

The cot transfer did not go well. He is back in his basket, placed on the cot for the time being. Will have to try again soon though, as he's bursting out of it

Hi Jaggy - my pox pal! The spots are scabbing now and I think DS has had it quite mildly. He was itching most on his head (where we couldn't really apply lotion) during the first few nights. We've done porridge baths, bicarb of soda baths, Virasoothe, pox-clin, calpol and Piriton. Not sure which, if any, have been helpful as DS is too young to tell us. I hope your poor DS1 starts feeling less itchy soon. Btw does anyone know (Scarlet maybe?) if the spots are still itchy once they scab over?

Happy birthday to Rubber's N! Glad you had a good holiday.

Loopy exciting times - good luck with the wedding plans!

Stacks how is T now? Hope you've had more sleep...

DS1 was better yesterday/last night, so fingers crossed the worst might be past. DS2 still pretty cheery, but he's got about a fifth of the spots so maybe not feeling it so bad! DS1 has them in his mouth too.

I'm sure they both had new spots yesterday so might still go on a while.

Definitely been the quickest year ever Rubber! Happy birthday to another mini Brooker.