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

[Rodeo]

Here we go :)

Not sure about the introduction of protein Bear, your way (to take it slow) sounds fine to me :)

So many x-ed posts!

Defrosting in microwave too huh?! I think I'll stick with me overnight defrosting and then succumb to the zapping rather than saucepan method for heating. Oh one more question - are you supposed to heat to piping hot and then let it cool or is it OK to heat to just warm? Obviously with meat you have to heat to piping hot but what about veggies? See why i like GF - I need the prescriptive method - cos I'm a complete idiot!

Can't afford that much money on socks!!!!!

its nice having two conversations going good about the protein - i don't really feel up to cooking chicken casserole and lentil stuff yet anyway!

I heat mine to just warm, but thats because they've only just come out of the freezer which zaps bacteria as well as heating to piping hot, right really must go to bed. Night

That 'Night' was supposed to have a :) or a 'x' on the end, didn't mean to come across as curt!

Oh and if anyone is looking to get a booster seat (or highchair) we just got the Fisher Price Healthy Care Booster from Amazon and its fab - he loves sitting in it and soooooo easy to clean. An ddoesn't take up much room. And portable. And will do for when he's older too. \link{http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002VZ21E/202-2700581-0975063\Here}. Also read reviews \link{http://store.babycenter.com/comments/gear/highchairs_boosters/booster_seats/4151;jsessionid=C0A5D5MQUOIKUCUAQMLSHPQ?intcmp=Store_ProductPg_AllComments&stage=\here}.

BOB - Sounds like you're having a nightmare whereever you are - Hope whatever you have gone out there for turns out ok.

Diege - I always read your name as Diego - not quite sure how you pronounce 'Diege' - When I realised what you were actually called i'd already got into the habit.

OK so i'm after some advice from you seasoned weaners. Holly used to have bottles every 4 hours - moved up to every three when she started draining the bottles. Now we are weaning we are on two icecubes of food at tea and about to introduce lunch tomorrow, however, she has started to only drink half of each bottle, so about 4 or 5 ounces ever 3-4 hours - do you think that I should move the bottles back to every 4 hour again.

Also do you give food and then a bottle straight after or do you leave a gap and do you give bottles/ feeds at regular intervals throughout the day.

Bear (I think) I get the icecubes out in the morning and leave to defrost and then just blast for 10-15 seconds to warm up - I use the same container to both defrost and cook the cubes.

sorry for the questions, you can tell I'm new to weaning and haven't got a clue.

Ohhh also - do any of you give juice or water - if so do you give this with food or not and do you give in addition to bottles or to replace one. I am reading the AK book but am confused and not been able to contact hv to ask q's yet.

Hope you are all well

Yorkshire and Holly

Just had a nigtmare with Holly as well. DP always puts Holly to bed and he went out this evening so I had to do it. It took 3 hours to get her to sleep, including an hour when he came home. He is going away overnight this week and I am worried that she won't go down for me again. Does anyone else find that a slight change in routine causes problems.

We went to Birmingham to the Baby show today - spend loads of money but got a new stroller - the M&P pulse - It was a bargain, so now at least I have a lightweight buggy.I have to thank you Brownie (I think) as you were looking at these earlier in the week and I noticed the post when I looked back so recognised the bargain, dp not too impressed when the expensive pram was supposed to last until Holly was 3, but I promised him today I would only use the buggy when on hols or when needed a lightweight alternative. - Can't wait to go back to work and have my own money so that I don't have to keep justifying expense.

Oh well better stop droning on and go to sleep I guess as Holly finally seems to have settled.

Brownie - we have \link{http://www.johnlewis.com/Nursery/Baby+Essentials/Safety/General+Safety/230197956/Product.aspx\this} sun shade.

The ebay lady ships to the UK and runs a baby shop so I'm hoping she can send me pixies, rosies and mary janes a bit cheaper than here. The shipping sounds very reasonable.

Someone asked about juice/water - I give juice with meals and water throughout the day. Milk is with breakfast/bed and as a snack between meals.

Nat keeps flipping herself over in bed and waking me up at around 4.30 each morning (yawn). I wish she'd learn how to get herself back over again.

oh and Bear - I defrost cubes overnight in a bowl, microwave to heat in the same bowl, and feed from the same bowl. Much less washing up

Afternoon! And it's still raining!!Makes the prison bars seem even more prison-like!! .
RODEO: really have no preference re: colour for swap no.2 - shall we say the lilac ones? - will leave final decision up to you . v. exciting!!! Hope mine arrive soon !!!
YORKIE: they are supposed to cut down on the milk when solids are introduced, eventually having about 20ozs a day, so what Holly is doing is actaully what they say they do in the textbooks . A model baby! Baby show sounds fun, in an overwhelming sort of way! Are you pleased with your buggy?
Oh and DH saw socks stuff!! DH: 'OH Dawn you're not buying more stuff are you???' Me: 'Im' not buying, I'm swopping stuff..see!! with RODEO. DH: RODEO!!!Is that the horse one!! Me: well, I wouldn't put it quite like that.. DH: So how much were these socks in the first place??? M: oh really cheap, you know what baby socks are like!! DH (looking to skies): how cheap Me: hmmm, works out about 90P a pair . DH: 90p for a pair of baby socks!!!
Think it's more like £4 actaully!!
Right better go, meeting at 2!
Diege

Hi Girls, Have managed to catch up with 3/4 of your posts, hurray!

BoB - If I remember correctly your DP is from Macedonia so that is where you are?! You are more than welcome to email me at any time on [email protected]. I can get on msn with a hotmail account too if you need a chat.

Diege - What are you like?! Definitely the November Ladies Shopaholic/Yummy Mummy 2005/6!!! Can picture it now, Hair and nails done, kids all clad in the latest trends standing in muddy field careful not to get anything dirty!! You do it in style...well done :o

Rodeo - I know how much you loved your job there :( Never mind. I guess everything happens for a reason. Are you looking for something else or just taking some time out?

Brownie - Weaning sounds like it's going well. I take DS into the bath with me at times and he really gets a good splash around, it's such fun. Managing a bit warmer water now too, was having very lukewarm baths with baby bubble stuff. Not particularly relaxing! Hope your mum/work situation is all ok.

Bear - I have decided not to freeze baby's food (I may eat my words in the next week though)but to make fresh and eat the same for our lunch/tea. E.G. Gave him mashed potato today so have made a potato salad to accompany our chicken tonight. Have been meal planning to cut costs and eat fresh.

Beks - :) Will get to the PO this week, am being a lazy cow due to weather and queues!

Hi to all, nappy cnahge due .. byeeee x

Hi Chacha!! Yes, I am a total shopaholic - can't go a day without my 'fix' I'm afraid . More like scummy mummy than yummy at the mo though, what with this rain my poor hair is having an idenity crisis. I have decided umbrellas are impossible with baby in buggy, toddler on buggy board, and toddler two dawdling along .
Right, time to try and lurk off home without the boss seing!
Diege x

Quick post before tea if toddler/baby allow!

Absolutely classic moment with Tessa in the car this afternoon. She has been getting interested in the music playing on the radio so the conversation went like this:

T: What's this one called?
Me: Itchycoo Park
T: Ah, yes..........(5 second pause)...........like itchy bottom!!!!!!!!!!!

How I didn't crash the car I have no idea

ChaCha - agree with Busy that Matrix seat can look a bit upright (it did in the back of my Mum's car) but we had it in the front of an Astra and it was fine. Tessa was in it until about 15 months though could have been in it until she was 2 by the weight limit but I think her legs would have been looped over the headreast! Will let you know after the w/e what it looks like in the back of a Picasso.

Baby now awake, try and post more later

Diege - Try a Kagool :o

Tessasmum - LOL @ conversation. Classic moment.

We have a Ford Galaxy right now (monster petrol eater) and are having problems with the upright position of Matrix. Don't know what to do. Buy another car.... will keep trying, let me know how you do.

LOL Snap Diege! Dp found the e-mail receipt that I'd forgotton to delete '20quid for baby socks?? Ithought you said they were a tenner!' To which I coolly replied 'Yes, but remember Diege is going halves on them....' Phew, got away with that one! Really must curb spending

Tessa Haha! At least you weren't with company!

Chacha, thanks for asking - I'm looking forward to having my Friday nights back, my friend who works with me on the bar fininshes her nurse training soon so she'll be finishing too ad we've promised each other we'll meet up every other Fri :)

Ooh dpis huffing in the kitchen trying to get tea ready, got to go! x

Hello All! Aha, so that's what slices are!! I thought you were referring to some fancy name for layers!!! Have had some longish layers put in (bearing in mind I have had an inch or so cut off the entire length anyway!) and quite a lot of thinning out all over. Have also made an appointment for some golden tone highlights in about 8 weeks or so (she nearly fell over when I said I was going to make another appointment!! I said don't get too excited, I wouldn't go planning your retirement yet!!)

Am soooo excited, my Cosatto Wizz pushchair has arrived!!!!!! Have now worked out how to put it up, attach hood and rain-cover, and fold it down - it is absolutely fab am so pleased with it, and it fits into the boot of my car, along all the other crap (erm essential items!!) I have in there!! A £90 well spent I say.
Bear - how is Caleb doing now? Thomas is loads better after his course of anitbiotics. He is back to his usual happy self now!
For what its worth, we frezze cubes of veggies, I defrost over night, then ping them in the microwave for 10 seconds, if doing 2 cubes I then transfer into another feeding dish - so just 2 cubes, 1 dish and 1 spoon. Not that it matters - dh usually washes up .
I am not following a particular weaning programme (although have got AK book - but mainly for instructions on what to do with what! and a couple of recipes and so on). So far we have tried (and loved!): Carrot, Sweet Potato, Butternut Squash, Broccoli, Parsnip, Apple, Pear, Banana. I have combined some together eg SP + Apple (AK says it's nice!?) and SP & Broccoli, Parsnip & Carrot and so on. Will be trying some new stuff over the weekend - not sure what yet though. Also gonna increase to 2 meals a day from saturday. Currently just give "food" at tea time, so thought might go for brekkie & Tea, then add in lunch. What have you guys done?
Brownie

Hi Brownie & Congrats on your new pushchair! :)
I follow AK diligently, just started the first tastes, week 2 so we've started breakfast this week as well as lunch. Until I'm confident enough to do it alone and use some innovation, I'm with AK. Won't be doing the veg medley though, have no swede or parsnips!!!!

Good night all x

OMG!!!!! I can't believe all this talk of socks! Must def be a girl thing although the 'jungle critters' were quite tempting, but within the 1st week there'd onloy be 9 socks left anyway!! Will admit they are very adorable tho

Rodeo - Kimberley my fave too! Love Nadines clothes tho (Oh to be able to wear little flicky skirts...) Wore a pink strappy top (only thing I could wear a bra with!), after trying on everything in my wardrobe. I feel so top heavy at the mo, not helped by my friend saying 'bloody hell your boobs look huge!' when I walked through her door.
Had a crap night. Wnt to Chicaho Rock which I've never liked, but has got even worse! Am going bck on Sun tho to see Jason Donovan!!
BoB - Hope you're a bit less frazzled and managing to sort everything you need,and that everything is ok with dp's family.
Yorkie - I tend to just have a cup with juice that Sean can have when he wants, but he hardly touchs it, so I think he must sill be getting enough 'drink' from bmilk.
1/2 term next week, hopeful;ly weather will be so much better, I really wouldn't be able to cope with a whole week stuck indoors. Sean only went and pulled himself up yesterday. awas so ed.

quick question - yesterday and today Caleb would have eaten more if i'd given him more at dinner time. Question is, should I keep feeding him till he doesn't want anymore, or would that put him off his bedtime milk feed which is an hour and a half later? I have been giving him 6tsps of baby rice and 2 cubes of fruit puree for dinner. He was happy afterwards though, so I don't think he was starving or anything.

ARghh!!! Just lost a post!! Just wanted to say good morning and to let you know I have finally posted pictures on yahoo!!! (Dh got digital camera last week ). Please ignore state of house (notice open copy of Grazia on sofa!!). You can still see Scarlett's spots if you look closely too . We took a photo of her last week with Jasmine's glasses on and have written 'Scarlett, age 17' in her album (the whole spotty, geeky teenage thing!)She loved it, and wants to wear them all the time now .
Wow GG, sounds like you will have the first walker of the group! Dead jealous of your boobs btw - my A-cups bras are sadly getting a bit 'gappy' now.
Right, best get some work done. My typing away sounds very impressive to colleagues, but hey if they knew!!

Hi BEAR! What time does he get his tea? I've been giving L her solids after her milk (6ish), and the last feed before that is bottle at 2.30ish. What does Gina say? I know generally the advice is to let them lead re: amounts (ie, carry on till they get bored/full and start spitting it out!) but see your point. Maybe put solids back until after last bottle, even if it means having this earlier?

Hiya

Diege - you've got 3 gorgeou girls there. Libby looks like she's very inquisitive and cheeky! Big boobs isn't so great when you're a size 8, but have to buy size 14 clothes just to fit them in. of your A cups!

Bear - I tend to let Sean lead, but have done that all the time, and I know you're doing GF, so probably harder to just change. I guess just find a happy medium between what Caleb wants and whats best for you. Not much help I know, sorry!

Hi gals,

Have only just skimmed and wanted to say HI! I don't expect a huge welcome -- I've been offline for weeks now. Just living life, really and my mom's been here and we got a new computer and my dog ate my password etc. etc.

Can anyone give me the cliff's notes version of what has been happening?

We are just starting to think about weaning six months on Thursday but DD doesn't love baby rice after a roaring start. Harrrumph.

Love to all, more when mom goes...