Nov 05 - Where the hell did those 6 months go?!

[Rodeo]

Here we go :)

BoB - what about getting a cheap old mag that he can trash while you read? I usually let Nat get on with 'exploring' things, and move things out of her way that I don't want ending up on the floor. She's managed to get the phone in the study to divert to the answaphone and we have no idea how to change it back!

Chacha - Thanks, it was a thought we had initially as well, but we thought we'd save it for a proper holiday at the end of the month .

I wouldn't go for baby rice at all, but thats just my personal opinion - try tasting it!!!

nova - i tried but i have to keep a close eye as he trashes and eats it pretty fast!
I'm devestated he ate my january copy of vogue..argh!
lol

babyrice is disgusting, but it was all we could get O to eat at first..until my mum suggested rusks which are delicious, and also not too different from formula for the first taste stages.!

oh..did you say where in crete you are going nova?

Evening everyone!

Diege - hope you've enjoyed your day off, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that Scarlett doesn't get chicken pox.

Rodeo - You must be so mad at having your phone stolen, its def the photos & videos that I'd be most gutted about if anything happened to mine.

LilJ - Mauritius, wow! Hope you all have a fab time.

BoB - lol at Feb '06, I'm sure they'd have been very confused talking about weaning! Have you tried giving Oskar some crinkly sounding toys? Other than that don't have other suggestions sorry

A lovely summery day here today, but I managed to touch a cat! Not good. I ended up with very swollen eyes, hooray for sunglasses! Sean's just made his big toe bleed, don't know how [bush]. Will def be making a baby proof house tomorrow.

G.G - just saw your pics on yahoo...so sweet! I thought this with novas pics, but isn't it crazy how similar the 3d scans are to their newborn face?
I'm glad you finally sorted out joining.

Do you have allergy to fur or just cats?eek!

And beksmum..T is so cute!he looks pretty cheeky, and has the excact same nose as Ben!

oh...and g.g..I think he mainly enjoys the fact he can tear apart the magazines..it's not just the sound. I guess thats a whole new discovery for him with manipulating objects!

I think i'll just let him do it and keep a very close eye on it..

oh and whats this 'new questions' thing on the yahoo site? I got mightly confused yet again today..lol..same thought.. 'who are these people?'

BoB - Snap again! DH gives him an envelope to play with when opening post and he tries pulling it apart and then it gets into mouth. I worry about papercuts and hygiene but DH doesn't seem to bother. We have a soft book used for tummy time that has mirror and shapes on it, he seems to do the same with that but the lack of crunchy noise probably doesn't quite do it for him.

Nova - Annabel suggest babyrice for first couple of days, what would you suggest I introduce instead then? Should I go straight onto the next day where there's no mention of the rice? Will be following her diligently for the next few weeks until i'm in the rank of super pureer (pew-ray-er)

We had some thunder here and it's gone all dark now. Oh well!

So much for the week's forecast, not at all what I read at weekend. Another scorcher tomorrow, hotter than today here, and same till Saturday..paddling pool needs airing :)

wow thats good news chacha...it always makes me so reluctant to go out when its raining and dull!

i'm just worried about O eating paper..hehe..can't be good for him!

chacha- if you want to use babyrice you should..it's basiclly just something to bulk the formula so they get used to swallowing heavier things I guess..it worked for us! and tasted no more awful than the formula alone does..hehe

Yeah ignore me Chacha - do what works for you. You never know Z might have his own ideas about what he likes anyway. Nat refused to touch the stuff!!!

Paddling Pool!!!!!! I MUST get one!!!!!

Air con unit arrived today - hurrah.

BoB - \link{http://www.bluepalace.gr/bluepalace.html\we're going here}

Hi guys! I feel like my head is about to explode tonight. My highschool boyfriend is in London, got my number and called me! I haven't seen him in 15 years and he wanted to get together for a drink. I'd love to see him but feel so embarrassed at my current physical state. I ended up putting him off but do feel a bit down about it now.

Diege, two bouts of the pox at Toby's nursery. I must admit that I'm half hoping that he gets it. I'd love to get it over with while the babies are young. We seem to be ill so much of the time, might as well get something that only goes around once. Hope you guys can avoid it. How was your day off?

ChaCha, I like Cow & Gate Organic Baby Rice. It's flakes rather than powder and I think the texture is nicer. More like porridge rather than paste. We're weaning very slowly because of Rosie's allergies. I use one of those little hand mixers and it works really well.

BEks, sounds like you've got a full plate! Wow, garden and loft extension. Just think how amazing it will be once it's all done. You'll have to come and hide out with us while it's all being done though.

BoB, Friday would be great. I'll email you.

Rodeo, so sorry you lost your phone. That sounds like a complete nightmare.

Nova, I've been having difficuly making Mummy friends here too. Now that Rosie is getting older I'm getting into a routine and I realise how much I miss my coffee mornings and play dates with friends. We all moved away at the same time so it's like starting from scratch. Aside from BoB, I don't really know anyone else in Blackheath. You're so good about getting out and doing stuff with Nat though. Maybe it just takes time. I'm starting Monkey Music with Rosie next week and I'm hoping to meet some people there. God, it's like dating again!

So many gorgeous baby pics on the Yahoo site! We should set up an album for each month and all post a pic of our babies then we'll be able to see how they change over the years. It's amazing how quickly they go from babies to toddlers.

Hello to anyone else I've missed. I'm off to watch a video. DH is in Colorado this week and a friend recommended the director Hal Hartley. Anyone familiar with his work? They guy at the video store was so excited when I asked. Apparently it's his fave director and no one ever asks for his movies.

Ooops! even!

Hi BoB & ChaCha - paper eating and ripping, sounds fun! As you say BoB - all part of their learning, not so good tho when covered in cuts and you're trying to get soggy paper out of tyheir mouth!

Anything furry BoB and my eyes swell, horses are the worst tho, my whole face swells and I spend hours snuffly & sneezy. That was my main reason for bf'ing, hopefully boys won't get my allergies and asthma. [fingers crossed emoticon]

Hi nova & Tex too!

Meant to ask - what do you all give the LOs for drink?

Hi All! Well T is still on the mend, although oughing well and really snuffly We've all got it, it's like a family cold last night I hardly slept, every time I lay down I coughed and wheezed and spluttered! Forgot to say re. babies eating what they shouldn't! Whilst att he Drs, T tried for the stethoscope and the blood pressure monitor thing, oh and had a chew on the Drs fingers
Anything I've got, he wants I smile and say, that's not for you sweetheart, and usually offer an alternative!
GG - Thomas either has Fennel Tea or plain water. Nursery give him water, so he is used to either.
My AK book finally arrived today - Hoorah!!!!! only about 8 weeks after I ordered it off Amazon (long story, not actually related to the AK book!) Oh and Diege, my 1.0 tog sleeping bags arrived yesterday - I too am v.v.v impressed with both the website and the service. Was defo a good find on my part methinks
Work is going well, and Thomas is seeming to enjoy his interaction with different people, both with my Dad and at nursery, and he is always happy to see me when I get home, so hopefully no adverse effects, not on him anyway
Oh and something I meant to ask and clarify the other day, but forgot! I know this may seem dumb, but what is a "Notting Hill Mummy"? I mean I guess it's in part to do with living in Notting Hill, but why should that be different? Sorry, geography and all lifestyle issues are not my forte - but ask me to tie knots and do raft building, tent pitching and campfire singing with Brownies or Guides, and I'm your woman

Must go, desperately want an early night, and there's bugger all on the telly (me not being an apprentice fan - blasphemer that I am!).

B&T

Oh - Bear - think you asked what our church was like - did you mean what sort i.e Cof E or something more specific?
x

Hi GG

I've given Nat water since she was about 12wks old as she was on formula and my HV said she could prob do with a bit extra to stop her getting bunged up. Now we're on solids though I've been a bit naughty and introduced juice at meal times. She loves the stuff, we get the Hipp organic, but I have used the Heinz one when we ran out whilst out shopping and I had to do an emergency stop! It's already diluted but I dilute it 50/50 again. She gets through about 6ozs of juice and up to 6ozs of water a day (although has been known to do 8ozs of water on a hot day).

She's still refusing to eat meals, but she's loving the finger foods. Today she had carrot batons, cheese, bread sticks, green beans, dairylea sandwich, banana and strawberries. Now even more confused about whether to take food on hols.

Tex - what don't you like about yourself (if I'm allowed to ask?), as you look beautiful in your pictures. And anyway whats to say your high school boyfriend looks the same after 15 years!! (as an aside - DH had to get weighed today as part of a life insurance medical, and he's two stone heavier than he thought he was!!)

Got talking to a really nice mum at Gymboree a couple of weeks ago, and saw her again today, and it turns out she only lives around the corner from me. She only moved in feb so doesn't really know anyone, so I'm going to pounce - lol!!

Hi Brownie & GG,

Glad T is better now. How lovely to be missed by your LO, awwww!

Nova - Lush! Just tried the link :) we wanna come, Can me and my LO sneak into your suitcase pls..he hee, you will have a fab time!

Okay, this whole weaning business has become my new project, have typed and printed the first 2 weeks with notes to refer to on kitchen board. If anything, motherhood is making me more and more organised. When AK says 'pear with baby rice' does that mean mixed together??
Pls explain

sorry x-ed posts Brownie.

You've just reminded me about a question BoB asked actually, and that is yes babies can 'pretend' to cough if they realise it gets your attention.

Poor T isn't pretending though - boo! Glad he's on the mend.

A Notting Hill Mummy to me is someone who has a bugaboo (sorry LilJ ), always has a lunch date, looks immaculate, has a perfect baby decked out in Petit Bateau/Baby Brora etc.., and in general seems really unapproachable. I just feel like some areas of London may be harder to make friends in, but TBH I gave up trying for a couple of months and decided to enjoy the company of my baby. I'm quite happy doing stuff with just Nat and me, but I think it might be nice to get to know a few people around here and for Nat to get some play mates.

yes Chacha - fruity baby rice is the puree and rice mixed. If you're making in advance I think you can freeze the rice and puree mixed together, or you can just freeze the puree and mix it to the rice when it's defrosted. I used AK too

Nova, that's really interesting about Nat's drinks. How much milk does she have? I've been wondering about adding to Rosie's fluid intake. She still has four 7oz bottles a day and usually has it with her solid meals but I'm thinking that she needs more fluids, especially now that it's getting hotter. As for my figure, it really is just the extra pounds - double chin and spare tire around my middle. I know I'll lose it eventually but haven't been motivated enough yet. Maybe the old BF is just what I needed! And I know he's gained weight too but, to be honest, I relied heavily on my looks when I was younger (not that they were that great, but it worked for me) and I hate the thought of seeing anyone from that time now that I focus more on developing my character. Texans can be notoriously catty too (no offense to Bear's DH!) so I just want to wait until I'm feeling more confident.

SO impressed with Nat's finger foods! I tried to give Rosie some ever so slightly lumpy puree and she gagged and threw it up. Toby was the same though. Took me ages to get him off the purees.

Forgot to say that Rosie has started rolling over! She did it really for the first time yesterday and then twice today. She looks so proud of herself every time she does it.

Evening :)

Half watching The Apprentice so excuse my post if it seems a bit disjointed! I like Michelle but I don't mind who wins really!
Had more bad news today, the doctor suspects my gran's got cancer of the ovary, says he can feel a lump and she's not been well for ages. My sister's a bit dubious of his diagnosis, she works on a cancer ward, but gran did have cancer 8 years ago. It was taken out but chemo was denied because of her ill-health, so maybe it's back or maybe is a secondary. She's waiting for more tests so time will tell I suppose.
Ah Tex, agree with Nova, you look lovely in your pics, sorry you felt you needed to decline :( I also feel pretty heifer-like, esp. when it comes to nights out, hopefully won't last long :)
Also v. impressed with Nat's finger foods, we've not had much more than bread & butter, cheese and banana, hopefully I might get a bit more inspiration from you!
Chacha, sounds like you're full steam ahead with your weaning, although I'm with Nova (again) about baby paste, sorry rice , I used to puree cooked pears and sprinkle a bit of baby rice into it to thicken it a little - it makes a perfect first food :)
Diege, hope you had a nice day at home! Did you try your wilkinet? Did you get a stripy one in the end?
Bob at you on the Feb thread, LOL! How funny!
Lil, Great stuff about nurseries :) Lovely to hear from you, have a fab holiday if you don't get on here again before!
I've been typing for so long Michelle is the apprentice!
Can you tell I'm trying to scale down my posts?!
Speak to you tomorrow x x x

Good morning!

Rodeo , thats sad news about your gran, I hope she is okay. my grandad was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year and has stunned us all with a full recovery..he's back to going to the pub to play snooker three times a week much to my grans horror!

Tex, sorry you felt unable to see your old boyfriend. You always look great when i see you, even when juggling 101 things! I guess you can't help but compare to how you used to look though..
I know Ido..I'mtrying to make more effort but need new clothes!

speaking of which..are \link{http://www.fcukbuymail.com/ProductDetails.aspx?language=en-GB&ProductID=799AI&CategoryID=w_jeanscords\these}

and \link{http://www.fcukbuymail.com/ProductDetails.aspx?language=en-GB&ProductID=769BI&CategoryID=w_sleevelesstops\this}
nice do you think? I'm so clueless these days!

brownie - glad T's getting better..hopefully there won't be somuch illness around when summer starts proper!

nova - that place looks amazing, we made ther mistake of going on the south coast in crete, the waves are incredibly fierce due to the location..wish we'd gone north instead!
Are you feling a bit cheerier after your bad couple of days?

Who was it that mentioned naps? O will sleep at night from anywhere between 7 and 10 until 7amish,(usually, sometimes he wakes at 5am..) then has a catnap around nine, a two hour or so nap at midday and a couple of small dozes in the afternoon..he's started sleeping a lot more than he used to! guess he tires himself out with all his rolling and shouting..hehe

well it's another lovely sunny day..must think of something fun to do!

Hey Everyone :o

Is definitely get up and go weather!!! It's already warm here, Yipee!

Rodeo - sorry to hear about your gran :( You're not having the best of weeks are you? Sending you cyber sympathies and hugs x

Watched SAW 2 last night, needless to say took a a while getting to sleep.

Off to enjoy the amazing sunshine .... enjoy!

Tex - she gets the following in formula:
07.30 - 2 ozs (60mls)
10.30 - 5 ozs (150mls)
14.00 - 4 ozs (120mls)
18.30 - 8 ozs (260mls)

so a total of about 19 ozs (590mls) a day. She also has a petit filous, and cereal with milk, plus some cheese each day.

Doubt any of you are around but while i'm waiting for the pool to fill I've realised that I have nothing for Z to wear in the water Was going to keep him in b'day suit but the thought of him weeing in there (it's a v.big paddling pool) put me off. What should I do? Any suggestions? Will post this on other thread just in case no one is around x