FEB 2010 Three is a magic number, yes it is......

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Come and take shelter from the DC here, folks!

Here's hoping the ILs don't bug you too much this time CP.....

Good to hear your DD2 is getting back to her usual self, JF!

DD was awake before 05.00 this morning...ugh. Luckily, DH dealt with her (she was shouting for him) and I got to snooze a bit more until DS woke up.
I'm thinking about investing in a sleep trainer clock - any recommendations? What sort to you have JF?

I've got the grow clock but got it only because I saw it on sale and have used it as an expensive night light . Dd1 ignored it completely and dd2 has only recently realised she can make the sun rise herself . Both of them can read the time now as we'll so I can't easily fool them any more.

IC, I have probably said it before but I'll say it again: there is a compelling argument for a big standard digital clock. It teaches numbers (you can't get out of bed for the day until the first number is a seven - trust me when I insist on such detailed and specific wording) and makes them feel grown up (look, a big girl's clock!). It has worked for both of mine, both of whom learned the number seven before any other and still stay in bed until 7am even now (and DD1 is six).

Glad the poorlies are on the mend. Tricky weekend here with dd1 (and DH). I'm hoping a day with just dd1 tomorrow will help.

DD knows all her numbers, so she gets to dial the phone. For us gro-clock works if we are strict about returning her to her room (which is hard sometimes so we end up starting again). We use a combo of her wall clock and gro-clock but she wakes a but out if it and panicky but the colour light seems better for her. Not sure if I would have brought at this age (she was around 20 months) but it is a great night light, plus there is DS to potentially use it. Would try a real clock (either digital or wall) if you have one. I think the gro-clock works best for wakings in the night and around 5

We have a gro-clock, I bought it recently in despair that DD1 was waking between 6 and 6.30 every day (I just cannot cope with life before 7am - I know, I need to man up). I don't know why I didn't just go for a normal clock as DD1 knows her numbers, but probably because they share a room I thought it might work for DD2 for a while too. Anyway it was a complete disaster for about the first month - DD1 simply ignored it (she can't make the sun come up because we lock it) - but we have persevered and now she SEEMS to be paying attention to it, because for a few mornings we have heard "The sun is up!" and then her pattering into our room. I set it for 7.30 at weekends. If I can just move it to 8, I'll be happy(er) to get up on a Sunday.

How were the ILs CP? How is DD2 JF? What happened at the weekend SR?

We have cut off DD1's hair, it has made mornings a lot easier. I don't even brush it if she really won't let me. I think she is going through a growth spurt too - not that she is eating more, but she is very tired all the time no matter how much sleep she gets.

She went off to nursery without tears today (we had tears last week as it was holiday club, they took them to soft play and she hates any change in routine).

Mous about your house. Have you heard about your job application?

My better relations with DD1 seem to be holding up Mind you, DH had a week off and then I had family to stay last week who all really helped with the girls, so this week will really test it. Hopefully the sun will put us all in a good mood - what a difference it makes! We did some gardening yesterday and it was FAB to a) get outside without a jumper, and b) achieve something. The girls play really happily together in the garden. What a difference from last year when I found it really frought having them outside.

I still don't brush her hair everyday, I use the excuse tat it brushes her remaining curls out. Garden play is great isn't it. If we are still in this house next year then I will start growing stuff again. I am finding that now DS isn't a baby at all now it is actually easier to do jobs than lounge around.

Hmm ILs, well they returned a rather sun blushed DD (sun cream was in bag) and were dismissive of the fact we've discovered DS is allergic to pineapple. Overall wasn't too bad but next will insist they spend more time with us as I watch how they interact with the kids.

CP, I would be cross about the sun burn. Your ILs sound difficult

Scones, great that you and DD1 are getting on better. Good news on the nursery drop off being tear free and sounds like a sensible decision about the hair.

DD1 had a very exciting birthday party on Saturday - a trip to the Harry potter studio tour. She adores HP, and had a great time, but the comedown and tiredness on Sunday was horrific. So much so that I sent DH with her to a birthday party instead of leaving her unattended. Today she has been much better. A joy, in fact.

DD2 is having a bad time in the knickers department. Two lots of dirty knickers and one wet set in the last three days. Very unlike her. A combination of tiredness, forgetting to ask for help and trying to be too independent. Tomorrow will hopefully be better.

Is it okay to take a child to have the MMR booster tomorrow when they are not totally healthy? (This is pretty much directed at SR...) dd2 no longer has a fever but just put herself to bed because she has a headache again...

Argh, not used to dd1 reading over my shoulder. She wants to know what a Harry Potter is (Blissfully innocent not quite 6 year old!)

CP I would also be cross about the sunburn and from what you have told us in the past I wouldn't let them go off with my children for the day either...

Mous How did your dd1 get on today?

JF I wouldn't take her for the jab, you won't know if it is a reaction to it or something else and the GP might misdiagnosed if something happens.

Sorry to hear that SR!

Scone good to hear about the quality time.

Thanks, DD1 was fine, chose Matilda to read with the teacher, went swimming, completely screwed in maths because they told her to use a number line to do divisions (they stop using number line after adding and subtracting the 20s), made friends...
DD2 had a complete meltdown at leaving her sister at school, she wants the same dress, doesn't like the school and any other 3 yo logic, but there is a place in the playschool next door and she will be entitled to the funding so at 1 pound a session we should be able to use it for a while.

CP I would be upset at the suncream too.

Sotu many thoughts and hugs

Still worried about dd2's headaches. She says it's from soft play when someone jumped on top of her in the ball pit but she also had a headache before that. I guess maybe I should leave the MMR this week...

Mous Sounds like your dd1 had a great day! And good news on the playgroup for dd2.

DD slept in this morning until 7:30 and was so tired on getting in I took her to her bedroom at 5:30. Stayed with her until 6:30 before starting bedtime routine. Don't know if it is a result of the sun yesterday. She still has a bit of heat rash on her legs and face a bit pink. Luckily she was wearing a cardi otherwise it could have been much worse. I didn't really notice until after they went and I blame myself a bit for making it clear to them suncream would be required. Then again if they weren't in such a rush to do handovers and take time to listen to us, I wouldn't feel the panic to make sure everything gets across. (they were literally walking away as I tried to give more instructions). She isn't proper burnt or red, but is still pink (worried I am making it worse than appears because I want to find fault with them). I won't be speaking to them for a few weeks now as we go on holiday on Friday, but will mention it.

They really are the limit CP

Thanks for the clock suggestions! I like the digital clock idea, think I'll go with that. DD knows her numbers, so hopefully it will do the trick. She woke at 05.20 this morning, but with a combination of carrot (fairy dust) and stick (threatening to put her in the car) she at least stayed quiet for another hour or so, even if she didn't sleep (although she may have slept, it's hard for me to know!).

DS was very fidgety and unsettled last night - in the end I resorted to Calpol and behold he did a 5.5hr stretch. Today I happened to glance in his mouth and hey presto! another tooth is on the way. So that explains that. FX he went down okayish tonight (albeit after a bit of protesting), I'm hoping we won't have a repeat performance (he hates Calpol, I don't dose him up lightly!)

DS used to hate drugs but now loves them IC, so there is hope.

My two are medicine refuseniks too. Oh, the irony. On many fronts.

I wouldn't take your DD2 for her jab JF. But I would get her checked out if she still isn't right. Been a bit too long now

Being rather anally compulsive about suncream, I would have called them on the phone and said it immediately :) so applaud your forbearance cp

On medicine, mine refuses medicine too, and still talks about how she had to take medicine for her bee sting. Luckily she does like her cough medicine, which I also like to take. Unlike the LOs of a friend who also append to be a pharmacist, who crowds round her whenever she produces a syringe (aka medicine dispenser)

Work very busy this month so will be lurking most of the next few weeks. mous the foreign experience you've listed seem ideally suited to that role, so just go for it, they would be mad not to take you!

Well me and DH had a good talk. He agrees the problem is they don't let bus handover properly so will be strict about that now as its not on the kids. The excuse of we didn't know where stuff is wearing thin. He was also annoyed that they brought DD a ice lolly but not DS even when DD was sharing it with him, so progress on DH being aware of differences in their treatment.

CP what??!! They bought only an ice lolly for your DD and not for him!!! but I'm gkad your DH is on your side

CP Right, if that had happened with my two I would not allow my children to be alone with them. My mum has a clear preference for dd1 but there is no way she would ignore dd2 or treat her differently.

CP they are VERY strange. Yes, you have to be very aware of where the difficulties are - in your case the handover - and then make sure you do it properly. With my MIL (FIL does nothing at all), I have to say loudly and in words of one syllable HERE IS A CUP, GIVE THEM A DRINK. PLEASE CHANGE HER NAPPY. PLEASE GIVE THEM FOOD. Not sure she does always but at least then I know I've done all I can. Also I figure it is only for a few hours, what is the worst that can happen. (I am sometimes pretty lax on suncream to my shame and my kids are often the pink ones; although by the end of the 'summer' they have a nice tan). The favouring one over the other isn't great but could it just be that DS is still very young and preverbal - can't ask for a lolly himself, etc? I'm sure they won't get away with things like that for much longer.

It's great that your DH has noticed too; I think it is up to him to talk to them about it (if you think you need to). I always make DH tell off his parents (not that he does it very well but rather him than me).

CP I have been meaning to ask you how your two have coped with the FT childcare since you started work? I know, logically, that many children are in childcare of some sorts from when they're young but I can't imagine mine being in FT childcare. I suppose they would cope if they had to. Just musing, I am thinking (again) that I should be jobhunting, the work-from-home stuff is drying up and my one afternoon a week's childcare is looking unaffordable.

JF how is your DD2? I would take her to the docs I think.

DD2 won't take medicine either, it is really frustrating when she has a temp.

IC I had to grin at threatening to put your DD in the car Great threat.

DD1 was so tired this morning she didn't want to get dressed. She SEEMS to be asleep when we check on her at 11ish when we go to bed. Usually one disturbance per night but then we ASSUME she is going back to sleep. Waking around 6.45 each morning with bed at 7. No idea why she is so tired.

Mous great that DD1 is getting on so well. DD2 will hopefully love it whenshe goes to the playschool.

Better go and get DD1. Why does nursery time run TWICE as fast as normal time....?!

I agree with you to some extent scones and I think in this case that was the reason, however it is also very clear to me there is a difference in them. Plus I remember how giddy they were with DD regardless of age. I may be biased but DS has gone through some super cute phases and still he is go to option when DD is busy.

Child care going well but it is different when have a 8 or 9 hour day rather than their standard 7. DS is actually happy at hand over while DD is a little upset, although normally is fine. They both have a good time there and DS reaches his arms out in return to any of the staff offering theirs on pick up.

I don't do sun cream every time either but they were out 11-4

Half the issue with talking to ILs is getting cut off with 'yes yes yes' and not letting us talk or listen. Yes I try to get DH to start conversations but often it comes up when I am there and need to deal with it right then. They cut both me and DH off. Anyway enough of that.