Sept '08 - The one where they go out into the big bad world (well school!)

[ninja]

Hi, couldn't find a new thread and there was only one message to link to one.

Hope I haven't stepped on anyones toes creating this!

Oh Carrie A lovely eventful birth story. Have some and Sorry you had some faffing around, but glad they took your fears seriously and had you in. That's kind of how it was with dd1. They, and I were worried I would go into labour on the 2 hour, 2 bus journey home so arranged to keep me in. 10 hours after waters popped and she was there.
Your pics on facebook are lovely
Sorry to hear you have to do all the running about, postnatal care is shite now. MW are only supposed to do a max of 1 visit per week which is just pants. How are they meant to pick up on the many things which are a huge struggle to new mums? when I graduate I will sneak in extra visits

Meg...my sister phoned yesterday for counselling. She and my brother have both been to the gp and are on ADs.
I don't want to take ADs if I can avoid it...simply because I am on so many other meds.
My poor sister has been dx as diabetic too :(
Sorry for the whinge fest.
I really hope he counselling helps you meg - you have had such a. Hard few years x

Just been to see the midwife for our 3 day check, and DS3 has lost too much of his birth weight - 9%. The midwife was quick to reassure me that she's not bothered, its just that my milk isn't in yet. But of course if I can find something to fret about, I will, and it feels like the 5 day check on Saturday is an exam I have to pass! I don't like think of my little baby shrinking away with dehydration! My plan is to eat lots and rest lots and keep feeding feeding feeding, which is hard when it feels like there's nothing there. We've been referred to have his tongue-tie snipped, which I think will make a big difference, but that won't be until next week.
And breathe. And eat

So sorry badvoc and meglet for how much you're struggling :(
It sounds like both of you are so aware of your own bodies and minds, and know what is best and have the confidence and common sense to do something about it, which is such a great strength to have. Hang in there, you're doing brilliantly!

Carrie, thank you x
I am no expert, but I think little ones tongue tie might be affecting his ability to latch and drain the breast? You are absolutely doing the right thing by resting up...lots and lots of fluids if you dont fancy much food.
things will get much better once the tongue tie is sorted.
The bf board on here is ace if you need reassurance x
:)

Any name yet?
:)

No, no name yet! Its all so complicated. We want a name we love but while there are lots that would 'do' that doesn't seem good enough!
badvoc keep telling me! I'm sure the tongue tie has affected the latch too. Already got some great advice reading boards on here - particularly that a baby in a deep sleep might not be content, they might be conserving energy, so wake them up and feed them...which I did, and he took a really good feed! Just had a very full nappy from him but still not 'yellow' poo, just the transition stuff.
I really hope the tongue tie is sorted early next week, but I won't be phoned back by the lady until Monday at the earliest.
I am starving. I had a lasagne at 11:20am coz I couldn't wait til lunch time! Have had toast and a banana, then lasagne again at 5 . My word I'd forgotten how hungry and low blood sugar I get when I'm breastfeeding! Plus I'm having a pint of water at each feed. Do I pass?

Marvellous! Keep at it! More lasagne! :)

See what happens when I stop checking this thread to see if Carrie's baby is here yet?
Many congratulations Carrie, and good luck with all the getting to appts with family in tow. Aren't they supposed to lose 10% of birth weight in first week?

Hope counselling is soon and useful Meglet.

Carrie try not to worry about the weight loss. All babies lose some weight and it is pretty normal. Keep up with the feeding and try some hand expressing. Remember to drain one side before starting on the other. Once your milk starts to come in it should be easier if he is tongue tied as it should be freer flowing. Have you got an apt to get the tt checked

Tongue tie...snipped! Got a phone call at 11:15 from the woman who does it, and within the hour it was done! She took one look at him and said it was a no-brainer, she also said he looks quite dehydrated (dry blisters all over lips, and raspy cry) which combined with the 9% weight loss and my sore nips meant she strongly recommended the procedure. It was all very simple and quick, and he then had a really good feed, although she showed me how he's learnt wrong attachment from having to work around the tongue tie, and really gave me the confidence in how to get him to latch on well. My milk has come in today and I have a very fast let down, and milk was escaping round the edge which she said shouldn't happen, so she helped me reattach him more successfully.
Time for more to celebrate

Great news :)

Hurray! Wishing you a productive weekend of feeding and lasagne carrie.

I'm not impressed to hear that cuts mean women who have just given birth are expected to go out to see their GP . It's enough to make me want to wave a MatB1 slip at a medical professional and point out it uses the word 'confinement'. Not, expected date 'of getting out and about as soon as possible'.

Congrats Carrie

I'm glad to hear the tongue-tie is all sorted and looking forward to hearing baby ds' name!

Great news about the tongue tie Carrie she sounds a great woman who really know her stuff. lots of babymooning for you now.

Sorry I never came back and updated you on the name saga!
So DH wanted Micah, I wanted Jack, and the kids wanted Alexander. Unsurprisingly the result of the family conference was that he's called Alexander Micah! Fortunately I really like the name Alex too, I just preferred Jack! But that's the problem with having lots of children, we're comprehensively outnumbered
Feeding going really well, I'm still having to wake him every three hours, but today we had some really nice awake times after a couple of the feeds, and I gave him his first bath (in the sink!). He's just turned one week old...I can't believe it.
The babymoon continues, hopefully I'll go all the way from Sunday morning to Wednesday afternoon without leaving the house! The problem is that DS2 has a lot of energy to burn off, my parents took him out today but they're not around tomorrow.
Thank you again for all the encouragement and advice, especially debs on the breastfeeding!

Love Alexander..what a great name!

at your 'family conference' carrie.

I'm attempting a good clear out this week. It's NCT sale this weekend so I'm grabbing things and adding them to the pile, only problem is I have to label them all up before saturday . With a bit of luck I can shift most of it if I price it low.

Carrie, I've been following your birth on Facebook but lovely to hear the full story so another congratulations!

I'm glad you found a way to deal with the anxieties although sounds like you didn't have the easiest time in hospital - the birth itself sounds great though.

Love the name and the fact that he whole family had a say

Badvoc, sorry things are so tough. You always sound so strong on here how are the children?

Meglet, hope the counselling helps.

I finally got my masters essay in last week and caught up on tidying the house at the weekend so feeling a lot calmer than I have for a month! Maebh seems to have settled into school really well, I just wish the TB would stop saying that he wishes she went to DD1s school in front of them. It doesn't help.

I've just realised this week that I haven't cried for ages. This time last year I was in tears all the time and in a really bad place. There are still frustrations, I still miss the kids, the TB is still a twat (e.g. He never gets Dd1 to do any homework at his, even though he has her half of the time. So when he has her over the weekend I only have Tuesday and Wednesday nights to get it done when she has an after school club both nights and then swimming and drama. So all she sees is naggy mum ). However, I seem to be coping with it all better.

Just need to get into a routine of exercise as I've just lost it completely. The pattern for the kids is better for them, but doesn't do me any favours, never mind - ill get there.

bookmarking. delaying doing the inevitable screamfest that is bath and bedtime

DS3 is two weeks old Where has the time gone?! He's grown so much, some of his newborn baby grows are too short for him now. He's settling well into the ways of she-who-must-not-be-named and is still incredibly placid which makes my life easier!
I've started to regain sensation in my pelvic floor and attempted some exercises
On thursday we have an appointment to register the birth, then I'm seeing the midwife, hopefully to be signed off. I'm quite impressed that I can do both these things at the children's centre, some joined up thinking by health professionals at last!

ninja you're doing amazingly, what a year you've had, but you've risen above everything that's been thrown at you and are a fantastic mum to your girls

badvoc and meglet how are you?

Right I'm off for a lie-down, making the most of DH being off to look after DS2 :)

Robyn got a certificate from school today
She is doing well at maths and knew some keywords. She was very excited when she got home. And she gets a day off on Monday due to an extra training day so she is being rewarded with a family fund day to the soft play. I will be tired that night

Well done Robyn, and debs! Hope you're enjoying your family fun day, hope the weather isn't as awful for you as it is for us!
I'm planning a trip to soft play tomorrow, DS2 can burn off all his energy and I can sit and drink coffee
We've got a training day on Friday, thinking of a family bowling trip, not sure how DS2 will cope with waiting for his turn though Isn't it sad that I was thinking bowling would be a good activity because DD and DS1 can practice their number bonds?!
Nearly half term...boy do the kids need the break!

How's the exercise regime ninja?

Mmmmm not well! Although I did run 12 miles last Wednesday having done very little running for ages! I only set out to do 3.5 but then bumped into a friend ... It was a hilly 12 too

Shame I'm eating as if I were exercising!

The family fun day was great Carrie we went to the local soft play. £1 each to get in they had a great time then we went to Morrisons for dinner and home to read their new magazines and do some crafts with Dad. It was pouring down all day and we got soaked just running form the carpark to the shop and back.
How is Alex fitting into the Carrie household? I loved the newborn stage with all of mine and was surprised how quickly Robyn and Lucy fitted in with the family. It is when they get their own opinions that things get hard.

Impressed with your 12 mile run Ninja I am absolutely pants at running. I prefer to walk or bike everywhere and cycle the 3 miles into town for college each week, unless it is pouring.