October 2012 babies - over here nobbers!

[Smorgs]

This really will be the thread where all our babies start sleeping through the night... right?!

squid I was advised not to buy a cheap baby monitor - apparently cheap = crap but you could buy a 2nd hand off eBay. the bt monitors are good. I can't get up to look at the model at the moment as ds2 is fast asleep with boob in gob and I'm not messing with that! but bt digital ones good and plentiful on eBay.

I've stopped sleeping again for some reason I'm finding my days with both boys alone incredibly difficult to cope with and the stress and anxiety is affecting my sleep. marvellous. just what I need.

too bleary eyed to remember what else I was going to post and on phone so difficult to namecheck, sorry everyone.

Hi all - sorry I've been AWOL but have been busy with the day to day of being on holiday! Well to be fair it's a pretty boring holiday by most people's standards. Activity of the day was taking baby for a walk along the beach, except it was too windy and too sunny and too hot (30 degrees, argh). Lots of our friends and DSIL are coming to stay with us for the rest of the week at DPIL's beach house. Then for the two weeks after that we will be in Auckland at another beach house we're renting while DH works.

Argh I weighed myself again today. 90kg! Help! Weight has remained at about that level since early December. I look alright at 75kg but should be under 70kg for best health and appearance. Time for more exercise and better diet ie less fat and sugar. This is highly depressing! of course it doesn't help that I see all these impossibly skinny and tanned NZ mums pushing their buggies about! I just feel like a big pasty whale! I have given myself to Christmas 2013 to get to somewhere in the 65kg range. So about 2.5kg a month to lose. Does that sound reasonable or too tall an order?

I did go and get a haircut today, so even if I'm tubby, I'm pretty!

Oh and I have some kind of infection (probably UTI) because there's blood and white blood cells in my urine Waiting for lab results. And I had a yeast infection last week! FFS. No sex recently although I'd really like some, but fair enough DH and I are not keen with infected Ladybits. Please tell me I'm not the only one who feels like their body has been irreversibly damaged by pregnancy...
DMIL told me she has to get surgery for a uterine prolapse - apparently a common side effect in later life of having children! Something to look forward to then

On the mega plus side DS has baby chatter cconversations with me now. I blurble and goo at him, and he grins and gurgles back! It's lovely

So today I have baby, dd1 and dd1s friend to look after all day. Have already done face paint for both girls, had poster paints out, games played and explained that that the baby definitely doesn't want her face paInted. So far have said no to sweets and telly, hoping to hold out to 10am at least......
Wish me luck!

About to go into a baby Pilates class. I want to ask the fella running it whether he's been CRB checked? Am I being PFB/ overly cynical psychologist who's worked with kids???

smiley you are either mad or a total hero!!! I am not worthy...good luck with it all, sounds full on!

This is a friend who has done loads for me and who has to take her younger daughter to hospital today for a scan, so although it is very full on am actually really happy to be able to do something for her.
Anyway, I've now stuck tinkerbell on the tv, few sweets each, baby on playmat and I am hiding in the kitchen having a cup of tea and playing on the iPad putting washing on.....

I am so glad I found you ladies, there are things I have been worrying about, thinking its only me but now see it normal.

I had a pretty straight forward birth with just a few stitches after so that's all ok, but been suffering with piles since, I'm sorry some of you are sharing that pain, but I am so glad to hear that it's not just me. At my 6 week check up the GP gave me analsol to treat, not cleared up but improving slowly.

Thank you for the advice on oversupply, I stuck with it last night (although felt a bit cruel with her coughing through it) and this morning boobs are feeling good and she was getting the crips with it towards the end.

Huffle, my problems with oversupply seemed to start when DD suddenly slept 7hrs two nights in the row (didn't last though ) I just wish she would find a routine at night, it's the unpredictability of it that makes me more tired.

Smiley you are one brave lady!!

Bora, I think that is fine to ask. I run a Girl Guide group and get asked by nearly all new mums about CRB checks, no offence is ever taken.

Squid, I heard that the BT ones are te best at a reasonable price, second the suggestion on eBay or maybe Gumtree?

First, that is crazy about a nap every hour, I just watch for the signs (eye rubbing etc) and then try to put her to sleep. Think she would let me know if she was tired!

On the topic of exercise and weight lose, I always said I would start putting so effort in after Xmas, which I guess is now that came round to quick! Meant to be going back to Jazzercise tomorrow but not sure if I can face it yet. Does taking DD swimming count as exercise??

Hi hi! Days go by so fast and I realise I haven't checked the thread and it moves on so quickly!

TMI alert - have reoccurring thrush and a mild vaginal prolapse. God. I knew something wasn't right :(

Also too afraid to weigh myself but mon husband had written a programme for rehabilitation (post birth recovery) and a plan to get me running, climbing ropes and lifting weight Olympic style! I'm considering an open water event in may...but chickened out of a big swim yesterday :( Its not looking good!

Keep meaning to say that our babies are Dragon babies - the luckiest and most successful according to the Chinese - so much so that Chinese couples delay/plan conception for years to try and get a Dragon baby!

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203806504577177011519558088.html

I. Have. Hurt. My. Back. Not just general tired, proper ping. Oh crap. Was inevitable with this big boyo. Just had to leave carseat in car and lift him out.

Great.

Oh Huffle that sounds painful! Hope it's not out proper. Can you get to see anyone?

Just weighed myself - about 2 stone over pre-pregenancy weight. So what do i go and do? Eat a large slice of the chocolate cake I made. At least it was flourless :( If anyone is gluten/wheat free I have a great coconut flour recipe for blueberry muffins. They don't have the 47683648964598 calorie count of Starbucks!

first napping every hour seems ott, as someone else said, watch for the signs. DS generally awake 1.5-2hrs but I'm sure it depends on the baby, not least how much they are sleeping at night. I wondered if DS was sleeping too much but tracked it for a few days (drove myself crazy with that!) and decided not.

huffle sorry to hear about your back. I'm starting to get sore shoulders from lugging this one around.

Will need to get a double buggy I think. Had been trying to avoid but can't see me being able to use the sling for too long. Anyone with 2 DCs got any recommendations? I think will look on eBay for Phil and Teds style.

Positive and supportive post from me, yay! New motto totally nicked from somewhere else is Progress Not Perfection.

thank you so much for the continued support you are giving me, I feel very humbled and cared for. You guys help me to get things into perspective and to be kind to myself. You are right, this is only a tiny part of her life and most of her life will be joyous... but this has been her entire life so far which means it's hard to see it against the context of better times as there haven't been any yet!

So in the spirit of celebrating progress, she has slept more in the day over the last couple of days as we have decided to try to give her more opportunities to, and last night was vastly better than the previous night. I have been out with her every day so far this year (!) and am feeling better for the exercise and fresh air. And the best thing? Daddy got the pooey nappy I was dreading - result! Ooh, and I managed to clear my blocked duct .

Squid, we are trying to use reusable nappies too. We use Bambinex bamboo ones with a bamboo insert and a PUL wrap. They do seem to need changing more often, I guess we have been spoiled a bit with the absorbancy of disposables. We have had leakage of poo, we're still trying to work out how tight is tight enough without being uncomfortable for her as the wraps have estimated backs and leg holes. We are using them out and about and at home but not at night. I don't want to go back to changing nappies at night . I've heard good things about fleece wraps for night time, or doubling up nappies and boosters. The Nappy Lady website is brilliant for info. Well done for going for it! Well done also for the 5k run - proud of you! When things ease up here, getting back into running is at the top of my To Do list, I really miss the buzz of it.

Wantanorange I LOVE WeeNotions nappies but they are so expensive! Has a really cool orange one with a zebra on it but when we found the course to start using the fluffies, it was already to small for her .

Crazy, poor you not sleeping. It's hard enough on limited sleep, it must be very frustrating to not be able to when you do get the opportunity .

Zara, hope you get meds quickly for UTI. I live in fear of them, used to get them often and don't get time to shower every day now... I try to at least wash but am sure my hygiene is not what it was Mini yomping does conversations now, it's the cutest thing ever!

October I find the papoose more comfy than the sling. could you borrow one to try? we have the phil and teds buggy from my sister who found it great. the disadvantage is that the child behind can't see much so they used to fight for who got to go in the front. that wouldn't be a problem at the moment for you tho!

OH MY GOD!!! Babypaving has started chomping down with his rock solid gums on my nipple and then turning his head as far as he can! vindictive child!!!!!

Owwwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeee Crazy!!!

Not fair!!!!!! Put him on the naughty step. Poor you.

Thanks for back sympathy. Hoping I've caught it in time and painkiller and stretches will help. Upper back fecked for weeks, this sudden and rotten and due to weakling lugging heavy baby in carseat. Must become stronger!

london what do you mean by papoose? The fabric wrap type thingys? Have tried couple of friends' but always end up covered in material in wrong places, feels like wrapping myself up in a curtain! This is my own ineptitude btw, not a criticism of wraps!

First we are uppababy vista-ers! What's up?

Running past and posting squid i have the BT 150 bought from ebay 2/h as i read the newer model wasnt as good. Had no issues with it at all and has lots of features most of which we havent even used (torch anyone!).

yomping i havent posted on here much but have been reading, partly due to looking after Jamie for most of the time myself as DF works away every three weeks , away Christmas and New year and partly if I started to write things down after my birthing story and for the weeks following that I would probably scare myself. (DF went away to work for 3 weeks when he was 3 weeks old). It was very much survival in the early days ladies I'm not ashamed to say and some very dark times who knopew sleep deprovation could be so evil!
Keep reminding myself as other have done of the motto It shall pass.

You ladies have been such a help, being so honest, as in RL other mum I dont think have been so when you ask them about sleeping thru etc.

Thank you.

As for running etc i take my hat off to you all.

Squid so impressed with the running, you are an inspiration for me to get off my lazy ass!

Yomping glad you feel more positive, sounds a good motto. I find that my mood can go downhill into tears so quickly - even if most of the day is fine, babies are just so full on and there is no off switch to get even a half hour to yourself. Be kind to yourself and agree that getting out every day makes such a difference.

Ooowwwwwch Crazy my DD does that too, not sure how to stop her either!!

Today Erin is feeling much better, she's found her voice again so is chatting away and determinedly trying to sit up. I briefly left her propped up on a pillow on the bed when cleaning teeth - to then hear muffled screaming and she'd launched herself forwards and was face down in the duvet

I've also found that my boobs have suddenly stopped being engorged and leaking and must have matched supply to need. I was worried that they'd stopped producing anything but appears not. They do unfortunately look a bit more saggy though as opposed to hard leaky basketballs

So my husband and I got a Christmas present for ourselves which was a night off. My mum is coming to stay this Saturday night and we're booked into a lovely hotel in town where we spent our wedding night so we can have a nice meal out and too much wine plus a full night's sleep. It also happens to coincide with my birthday which is on Sat. We planned all this a few weeks ago.

Only thing is I now don't want to go. I'll miss her! What if she forgets who I am? What if she thinks I've abandoned her? What if she forgets how to breast feed? What is the expressed milk in the freezer isn't as good for her?
I know I'm being irrational. She's taken milk from the bottle plenty of times, she's spent plenty of time with my mum and well only be a few miles away.I know it'll be good for us to get a night off. I just can't shake the feeling that I don't want to be away from her.

Huffle sympathies re your back, I pulled my shoulder putting a sack of birdfood in trolley in costco before Christmas and it was so limiting - esp car seats are so heavy and awkward at the best of times.

First I'd read the 'awake for an hour' thing too for 3mth babies but I just think it depends. Erin can be awake for half an hour or two hours quite cheerfully before napping during the day. I have taken the approach to chuck books out window as to what should be happening and just go with things for now. Erin now seems to be doing her own routine/pattern of feeding/napping/playing of her own accord. A new development in the last few days is having 3 hour gaps between feeds - this is what books say should happen earlier but didn't work for us before - and Erin didn't agree when I told her that she shouldn't be hungry

October by papoose I meant one of those structured baby carriers like the baby bjorn. I found the moby sling ace for the first 4-6 weeks but then as she got heavier it hurt my back and shoulders.

the structured carriers are also much easier to put on. two clips rather than six yards of fabric.