December 2012 - Smiles all round!

[SpottyTeacakes]

And the one where Spotty's gang gets some sleep

[SpottyTeacakes]

He says I can go out if I want but I obviously can't without ds! Although I'm tempted to so he knows what it's like with two. At least he took dd to the park this morning when I asked him to, it's really cold out there though!

[MaMaPo]

Honey - exactly. So frustrating.

[HoneyMumandSon]

Do it spotty can you have some milk expressed ready and next time he's around say you're popping out for an hour or 2 and just leave him to it? or is that mean?

[SpottyTeacakes]

Actually my friend and I were talking about doing that and going to costa! It's ok for the men to say they're just popping out but we would have to give them prior warning. I might just say to him 'I have to pop out see you in a couple of hours there's milk in the freezer' and see how he copes mwahaha. I haven't left ds yet though

[EggsMichelle]

We are trying to clean the house, bare minimum has been done since F was born, however F has decided he won't nap and hates being in the wrap, so all I've managed is Hoover and mop downstairs (dog has since shook his fur and DH walked through the house in trainers) now he is playing with my nipple and DH is attempting to clean dog shit off the patio.

[ISpyPlumPie]

Stacks - it sounds like an incredibly tough situation, and I'd imagine it's even harder being geographically so far away. Is your dad a bit nearer so he can keep any eye on how things are going? As others have said, hopefully with the right SS suport they will be able to parent but should this not be possible and you do conclude that you would be in a position to step in, make sure SS are aware so there's no delay with assessments etc. I really hope it all works out.

Spotty - I know exactly how you feel. I used to get mightly pissed off when DH would complain he'd "done nothing" all weekend despite playing cricket all Saturday just because he'd got out early and hates fielding. He didn't realise how annoying it was that he was moaning about having a full day's leisure time when it still felt like a miltary operation for me to leave the house alone for a couple of hours. He didn't play as much last season (and knows better than to moan if they lose now!) I don't mind him having time to himself but a bit of appreciation that it wasn't as easy for me wouldn't have gone amiss.

Well, despite the boy only turning two months yesterday I've spent the morning unpacking and washing the 3-6 months clothes as his current wardrobe is becoming somewhat snugm

[SpottyTeacakes]

3-6 months! Ds is 10 weeks Monday and 0-3 from most places drown him! He's a tiddler though

Making one pot chicken pilaf for dinner tonight yum!

[EggsMichelle]

Stacks, my mil is a foster carer, and although she has a fantastic success rate, the children she receives will have been to some pretty terrible placement, and with the chances to adopt made impossible with beaurocricy (sp) I would take my siblings children in a heartbeat

[Stacks]

My Dad is close by my brother (in London, but still 2hr drive) but he's going to be having major heart surgery soon. I'll have to go down and care for him after the surgery, then bring him up here for final recovery. My family is an awful lot of hard work and responsibility for me, and I think DH kind of resents it. He can't imagine himself in the same situation - I've tried saying "what if it was your sister" but his response is just that she wouldn't get in that situation in the first place. Same with my dad, and helping out family financially which I've been doing for years.

I just have to try and stay positive. I wish I had more faith in the care system and social services. There are some wonderful carers and social workers out there, but I think there's more awful ones :(

[HoneyMumandSon]

D is 14 weeks and just in his newborn clothes!

[IsThatTrue]

Ds2 is 8weeks and has outgrown some newborn but not others (mainly sleep suits because of his long legs and big feet) 0-3 are a little roomy but he's not drowned by them.

He is not a happy bunny right now I think his tummy is hurting him. He's not sleeping well and keeps randomly high purged screaming. Only problem is usually I'd shove him in the sling and go for a walk but we're expecting a delivery and DH is out, and the sling indoors doesn't cut it apparantly!

[HoneyMumandSon]

I should know better than to watch one born every minute when I'm home alone...

[FriendofDorothy]

I decided to put away all Edward's first size stuff. His sleepsuits were getting so small that when he lifted his arms up his toes curled!

[HoneyMumandSon]

D has decided to start fighting the infacol. I have infacol in my hair.

[WillYouDoTheFandango]

We've gone into 0-3m this week. J has big hands and feet and really long legs. He looked really cramped in his newborn stuff. Trying not to think about how big he's getting or I'll sob!

[halesball]

Thank you for the migraine tips. I've tried everything for years to get rid of them and i'm on quite strong painkillers which change my personality when i take them, but do get rid of the pain. I haven't heard of the fennel tea tip one though, so will give it ago.

Stacks what a situation to be in, the only advice i can offer is that you can only do what you and your DH feel comfortable with. No matter what your brother will know how much you love and care for him and your new Niece/Nephew. Hopefully it won't go that far and your brother and SIL will get the support and help they need.

H is 8 weeks and is just starting to go into age 3-6months clothing but she is long 98th centile (not sure where she gets that from me and DH and families are small) it is causing some problems though. She no longer fits in her moses basket, and looks like she'll soon grow out of her car seat and also her bouncer, and also her pram.

[EggsMichelle]

F fits a little too well into his 0-3, he is already too long for his snow suit, but is skinny so tops all hang off him (8wks). Looks like we are having another growth spurt, either glued to my now very sore nipples or screaming. Currently demonishing a 6oz bottle, think he will need more :(

[utopian99]

O is out of all his newborn stuff and well into some of the 0-3 at 5.5weeks..

[utopian99]

After feeling really happy about the way i looked for 5 weeks post birth (out at a friend's 30th, first time I've dressed up since he was born,) i weighed myself this morning and have put on 2.5lbs. Really pissed off and down- I can't get any real time to exercise because ds wakes up after 5 miss if I put him down in the day, sling walking only does so much, and none of the post natal exercise/dance groups will take me yet as I'm not 6 weeks. Dh says there's a big difference but i know i don't look the same as before yet. I really love ds and wouldn't resent him in any way but HOW do i get more exercise? And I'm bloody starving all the time.

[utopian99]

Bugger,.cross post, sorry. Just feeling sorry for myself.

[WLmum]

T is 6.5 weeks and is outgrowing 0-3 month stuff!! I can't quite bring myself to put her in 3-6 months though. Poor little bunny was fussy and feeding like mad but clearly uncomfortable, just as I was coming down the stairs with her after putting big dds to bed she did the most massive cottage cheese puke. She was so much happier after - another bra/vest/jumper/carpet catcher for me though! Stupid reflux hurting my beautiful baby just makes me want to cry - in fact I am. I'm just nuzzling her head as she's now asleep on my shoulder. Got tons to do as DH is out at a gig (he'll piss me off for sure when he gets in drunk later, and when he feels sorry for his hungover self tom). I'll be taking all 3 dds to dd1s swimming lesson tom am to give him a lay in/break - also because the sight of him being hungover will probably want to make me kill him!

[WLmum]

Only 1 more week til groups will take you utopian. I know how you feel, dd won't be put down in the day and I can't even walk fast when we're out as I mostly have dd2 with me. And because dd won't be put down it's really hard to make decent meals and not just eat biscuits. Hmmm

[MaMaPo]

Do we need to instal the sobbing sofa again? I'll use it, if so. I really want a chat with my mum but stupid time difference - she's still asleep. Tense moments with my husband earlier - we are both finding it tough - but then he made us an amazing dinner. We're a really strong couple but today tested us! Plus, C is practically cluster feeding. Can't catch a break.

Utopian - dont worry too much about weight, you're still so early. And you have do much going on! If you felt good and looked good at the party, then hold onto that - much more meaningful than numbers in some scales.

[utopian99]

Thanks mamapo and Wlmum..the thing is i thought i looked good because dh said something unfished-for yesterday while we got ready, but not because anyone else did, and he's biased (and kind,) so might be not true. Plus when i asked outright if my face looked like it did pre-pg he couldn't say yes, and he's rubbish at outright lies.

[Secondsop]

stacks what an incredibly tough situation. If it were me I'd be inclined to step in to help if help were requires on the basis that that would (presumably) increase the chances of the children being successfully reintegrated back with their parents, rather than them being fostered outside the family? But I really know nothing about such a situation and its anybody's guess how I'd actually act when push came to shove.

utopian sounds like you had a lovely night out. There's a lot to be said for stepping back into a part of one's old life. Re the weight, I'm taking the view that the challenge at present is actually managing to eat a whole meal that isn't oatcakes with peanut butter ; opportunities for actually putting together something healthy and well-thought-out are thin on the ground although I am managing 1 roast chicken a week while my husband holds the baby (husband loves his roast chicken so has a vested interest in helping!).

Little Z is only smiling very occasionally, which is fine, but not yet at his daddy. Today he smiled at a woman who is a complete stranger! This was after my husband had spent 20 minutes trying to solicit a smile.