JAN 06 - so what's THAT you're eating mummy?

[loomer]

Here we go then... I've also updated my album of photos on the \link{http://health.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/mumsnetpix/photos\Yahoo site}, it'd be great to see recent pics of all our angels on there!

So I can stop feeling bad about flying Air NZ via LA then. I really didn't want to but they had such a good offer that we couldn't resist. We're hoping for lots of empty seats - why else would they have such a crazy offer? I know, I know, the flight will be packed....

So sorry not been keeping up. Things just seem to be so hectic, and I feel incredibly tired ALL the time. The house looks like a bomb-site, am gradually trying to tidy one room at a time, but it just seems like so much effort. Got to get it sorted before next weekend as got people staying over! And I'm determined to keep it sorted once it is (this time, I say that every time I get it straight), as Andy's off to Belize for 2 months in just 3 weeks time so will be on my own with Lola.

Eshay, I'm sorry I haven't been in touch. I keep meaning to get in touch and arrange something but then I look around this place and think I can't go making plans, I have this dump to tidy! However, I still never seem to use the time to get it done. There always seems to be something more important to do during Lola's long nap (today it's batch cooking/freezing - loving the new annabel karmel cube trays with lids in boots!) It WILL get finished over the next few days, then I PROMISE I'll be in touch. I'm sure the wee ones would have a ball together now they're at that flirty stage! Sorry you can't make the new date for the night out. There was only you, me and one other who COULD make the original date.

Re food. I've been making the following:

Thick minestrone full of beans, pasta, and various veg
Creamy Vegetable Risotto
Bolognese with hidden veg
Salmon Fishermans Pie
Chicken & Veg Casserole
Fruity Moroccan Lamb & Cous Cous
Cottage Pie with beans
Cheesy Brocolli & Cauliflower Pasta
Got to say I'm very uninspired at breakfast. I simply alternate weetabix and oatabix with various fruit added.
Finger foods - not much so far as just starting on these really - buttered toast, cow & gate savoury bisuit thingies, veggie sausages

Gotta dash, smells like my cottage pie may be burning! L x

once again i am too lame to have read the thread but just wanted to link to this thread for SK and lisa in case you have any advice for this person with spd.

hope youre all well - im snowed under and tired, but hey, arent we all?? {hugs to all}

Hi all - I'm still around (sort of) but have been a bit limited on time to post & have been posting on a sleep(lessness) thread (Sweetkitty & I are in a similar position but we are getting there [fingers crossed emoticon]

DS is doing fabbily, a happy happy baby and a huge smiler (big gob like his dad ) He is crawling like a very speedy thing now and desparate to walk so pulls himself up on everything. We had a couple of episodes of him throwing himself onto his back in the playpen but he's realised that that hurts so sits down now He yells "dada" when DH comes in & says "di" when his drink is around & loves throwing food to the dog. Don't they grow fast!! I don't know where the time has gone!

I've just started working again but only have limited childcare until he gets a place at the local creche in mid Oct so I'm just dabbling really (but enjoying it hugely). I've also realised I've only been out in the evening 3 times since DS was born (and only one of those was with DH!) so my plan of action is to go out within the next month

Just read my post and clearly have no life and have turned into an utter bore - sorry. Hope your lives are more eventful & LOs remain gorgeous xxx

Hi Iris! Good to hear from you. Your wee boy sounds so cute! How fantastic that he's speaking a wee bit. Lola's too laid back for her own good. No sign of crawling yet, although has pulled herself up to standing in her cot a couple of times. Nothing even remotely understandable speechwise tho. Are anyone elses LOs not crawling yet?

Can totally relate on not getting out in the evening. Thats why I've organised a girls night out in Aldershot this Friday (all welcome!). As it turns out I'll be out Saturday night too now, as the Regiment's Wives Club are having a wives only night dinner/disco in the Sgt's Mess. I dread to think what kinda state I'll be in come Sunday (more to the point, what kinda state DH will be in after babysitting ALL weekend for the first time!)

CD 33 today in first cycle of TTC (cycles usually 30-32 days). Neg pg tests every day but from previous experience I know how unreliable that is. Keep yer fingers crossed for me girls!

Hello lovlies. Its snot central at Maison P this week. Feeling a bit grim today. Sinuses starting to block up. Ugh.

Anyway, here's another crack at power posting....

Libby = crawling . Am so proud. She's yelling sounds at top of voice. Stubborn as her father. Dada fave sound. Also rarara

Mollie = boyfriends at school . There's Tom, Tom, Jude, Lucas, Jonathan.....

Gav = golden boy at work after going into dragons den and making kick ass presention to top bods. Fingers crossed for good bonus next year!

Me = have finally got nanny to come in 2 x month to look after Libs so I can get a little time off. Hooo-bloody-rah.

Might have something to tell you about house sale soon. But not going to jinx it until everything signed.

SK and Iris - huge amounts of positive energy going out to you. Grit your teeth ladies and show those babies who's boss.

Lise - fingers crossed for you. hope A has hit jackpot before he goes away

Tickle - hope trip good and kids aren't sick in car

Eshay - dear god woman, are you crazy . Long haul with 2 boys. More power to you.

Loved the recipes. Am def going to be stealing some of them. Tummy rumbling now just thinking of them so am off to cook supper.

Love to you all

G xx

Oh god, just realised that the post I typed out last night isn't on here - must have forgotten to press Post Message - d'oh.

Lisa, fingers crossed for you, hope you're also feeling a bit more with it now - did you get any housework done? You sounded really down on that previous post.

Also, no Lola isn't alone, Scarlett isn't crawling yet either. She just writhes around on her tum and gets cross. She also hasn't shown any sings of saying recognisable words... a lot of raspberry blowing still, and 'singing' in her new high-pitched voice - not screechy thank goodness, quite sweet really. DH spends all his time with her saying "Dadadadada, mamamamama, papapapapa..." but all to no avail!

Iris, you're not the only utter bore. I've just worked out my total number of nights out since DD born - also 3! However, I have also been enjoying my birthday present from friends... archery lessons. Only one hour a week, but really good fun and something to get me out of the house if only briefly. I'm hoping that it can become my alternative to golf as I grow old gracefully!

Georgie, good for you getting nanny sorted, what a fabulous time you're going to have with those two days of freedom. Hope the snot dries up soon, and fingers crossed for the house (shhhh...).

Lilstarry, hope you're doing OK girl, you haven't posted for ages - hopefully it's just cos your bizyhectic?

Right, time to make spanish omlette for Scarlett's tea. Kisses to all!

Hi Loomer. Am feeling a wee bit more with it, thanks. Not much in the way of housework done, but taking "babysteps". AF arrived this morning, so not pg this month. Didn't expect it would happen first month, but that'll be it now til christmas as Andy will be in Belize for my next 2-3 fertile windows.

Scarlett sounds a lot like Lola, we're getting a lot of the singing too, and no matter how many times I repeat mama or dada it gets me nowhere!

hi all

Lisa - sorry about AF arriving, at least you will get loads of lovely practice when A gets back instead of being all sick and horrid over Christmas (I was in the first few weeks with Abbie over Xmas and it sucked no alcohol, could hardly eat my dinner and felt like death). Don't worry about Lola not talkin Abbie never said anything apart from Mama and Dada til 18 months now she never stops. I'm sure Lola will be a big sister soon

No proper crawling yet here either, she goes backwards and rolls and spins like crazy, she knows something goes on with her bum but ends up looking like she's humping the floor. She is also the nosiest baby I (and most other people have ever met) I kid you not, at toddlers she squaks like crazy and everyone laughs at her. She's so loud. Still lovely, chubby and utterly scrumptous just as well really with the no sleeping feel like selling her on e-bay. Don't want to say too much but last night we had the longest stretch ever 9-5am am sure it's a blip!

Iris - the NCSS still hasn't arrived I'm sure I have got Baby Whisperer somewhere too may have to dig it out. Hope you have a better night too x

Georgie - glad it's all going well for you too x am of your nanny too

Loomer - think I'm on about 3 nights out too must readdress that as well I think.

Must get some of your fab recipes off you as well girls our LOs certainly are well fed, I'm desperately trying to feed T everything so she is not as fussy as her sister. Nite nite to you all x

Hi Girls,
Had my first girls night out since Lola was born last night, had a great time, but when I got home at about 1.30 DH was still up with her. She was barking like a seal, and being sick, temp and runny nose. We took her to a&e and they said it's croup. She was awake most of the night, but is napping now thankfully. They gave us liquid steroids for her, and saline nose drops, and toldus to keep giving her calpol & nurofen to keep temp down. It was really scary, the cough sounds so harsh. Bless her tho she's been so good throughout. We went to a reg't wives club coffee morning on Thursday where she was around other kids for the first time in ages, so I guess she picked it up there. Gonna go try and grab 40 winks while she's napping. L x

Hello!! Eeek, it has been so long, too long! I've had a mammoth read of all the posts, have to say I'm right there with those of you who are feeling snotty - Bee and I have been poorly since we got back from Holiday, which was fabulous, despite the month of illness since.

How are you all? Is it bad that I've been out once since Bee was born . We were never very sociable before, I think not driving makes a big difference, although DP is learning...

I hope those of you whose LO's aren't sleeping are managing, we've had a bit of a rubbish time with it lately because she's been so poorly (throat and ear infection due to a virus!) We went cold turkey last night, she woke up at 3 and I refused to feed her (she'd had plenty during the day and I knew she wasn't hungry), consequently she was awake on and off for 2 hours. Ik. Hopefully it will get better quickly. Fingers crossed for you all, sleep deprivation is insanely hideous.

Wow, I can't believe a few of you are trying for another, good luck! I shall cross my fingers and toes, we've been giving it a thought but I'm going back to Uni in January and would really like to finish my degree, although time-wise we'd rather have two closer together! It's so hard, Bee wasn't exactly planned which makes planning another a novel experience

How is the potty training going for those of you with big'uns? How are they finding school/nursery? More importantly, how are you finding it? It's a big change.

Aside from being full of cold we're all good. Bee has been commando shuffling for some time, she seems to be less inclined to crawl 'properly', but she loves walking and is scarily adept at pulling herself up (a skill she chooses to practice in the bath!! eek!) She still loves her food, and will eat almost anything. She's such a happy smiley baby and receives lots of attention because she's so nosey, it can be a little embarrassing when she sits and stares at people having a private intimate conversation! She handled flying like a pro and was a star the entire holiday, thankfully! So much so we're thinking of taking a last minute holiday to New York, but we're not sure yet...

I'm really enjoying motherhood now, it's taken me a while to accustom to the huge changes, but I couldn't imagine my life without her, I still have days (particularly when I'm feeling rubbish) where I just want some me-time, but that's probably true of every mother! I love the idea of a nanny! I think I'll get a little breathing space when I go back to Uni, although it's going to be so much hard work, and lets not even talk about childcare , I'm hoping to rely on two of my friends, DP and the In-laws for the first semester back, will see how that fairs. Have yet to found another equally flexible and accessible option. I'm looking after my friends daughter now, have only done it once and that was hard enough work... goodness.

Must go, Bee is getting her breakfast and I'd like to sort upstairs whilst she's downstairs . I've said it before but I always intend to, I'll endeavour to post more, it's so funny how much more busy we all are now that they're bigger!
Have a good weekend,
Love xx

aww Lisa so sorry to hear about little Lola being so poorly, it's so horrid when they are sick you want to help them but can't, hope she gets better really soon.

lilstarry - good to hear from you too, Bee sounds like a wee angel New York am v went when I was 27 weeks pregnant with Abbie and it was great but would have been better if not pregnant and having SPD, would love to go back one day.

Have started with the sleep logs for the NCSS (no cry sleep solution) for you not familiar with it. Iris and I are keeping the NCSS support thread very busy lets hope it works for us both I keep singing "all I want for Christmas is a full nights sleep!" although last night she slept from 8-5am with only a 5 min BF inbetween and of course I was up twice checking on her, seems your body becomes programmed to get up anyway.

nite nite x

Hi all

Sorry I haven't posted for a while, I did try last week and the damn thing crashed, am having some problems with my laptop. We've had a crappy time here too, Finn has had 3 ear infections in less than a month with all the associated pain/fever/awfulness until his ear pops (thanks for reassurance Nappiesgalore!) he has also had conjunctivitis due to a month of wiping snot in his eyes. He is much better now thank god. Iris any tips for homeopathic prevention?

Really feel for you all who aren't sleeping. Have had some awful nights up with Finn but generally he sleeps from 7pm - 7am, the big breakthrough was him learning to settle himself if he wakes. I unfortunately still wake at 4.15 for the loo, I must be getting old! Sweetkitty, it's a really difficult one with bf - he did start sleeping through a week before I finally dropped the last two feeds so I really don't think it has anything to do with it. It depends on your outlook on bf, but if you could get some sleep while dp gives him a bottle, you might feel so much better. I agree with what everyone else says about routine, I have always been really tough with mine - bath, feed, bed, lights out! I'll leave him to whinge but not scream (well not for long...!)

Hope everyone else is ok, I'm so out of touch!

Hello again, in the spirit of posting I thought I'd post again, although my last post seemed to kill things dead. Oops
How is everyone? How are the not-so-little-little-ones?
We're still all snotty, but Bee is a lot better with it now, we had a few horrible nights were she kept waking and screaming but last night she slept right through, I didn't even wake her for a dream feed (I've an inkling it was disrupting her!) Fingers crossed that'll last!

Not much else, got her weighed earlier and she's lost weight Only a 2 ounces, but it's a little of a worry, then again she's SO active it isn't surprising, I'm not overly worried she troffs like a piglet, such strange little things..

Shan't be New Yorking it, as DP's driving test has been booked and he'll need to get lots of practice in for that, then it'll be Christmas. Might go in February, although I really wanted to go for the Christmas stuff. Maybe next year

Ok, that was surprisingly short (for me), need to go get started on dinner.
Hope you're all well. Big love and stars xxx

hi all - long time no post. DH is home for a change so I've a little more time to post

lilstarry - shame about your trip but, on the positive side, maybe you'll get better bargains in Feb (sales?!)

loomer - your archery sounds fab! how's it going?

lisa - DD had croup at 5. It's awful isn't it. (I've always wondered whether it's really a weak form of whooping cough). Hope Lola's fully recovered now and fingers crossed for more productive bd when your DH gets back

georgie - your nanny but for you. Any news on the house?

wherethewildthingsare - don't know about prevention (as I'm not a homeopath!) but aconite is the first remedy for nipping colds in the bud and is the "pain relief" bit of my homeopathic "calpol". HTH

Dom's cut his 5th tooth now & a right speedy gonzalez on all fours. He absolutely loves the dog at the mo (and the sky box/stone hearth/stairs/bookcase or any door so he can open & close it on his fingers/head etc) & keeps bombing over to the stair gate on the kitchen door to stand and stroke/prod her when she's in there.

He's still Mr Itchy McItch (though not so badly now)despite dropping so much from his diet. The no dairy or tomato thing is proving really challenging though!!We're waiting for the results of his RAST which he had last week.

On the sleep front DH has now been consigned to the spare room as DS only settles if he's in with me at night now (despite starting off the night in his cot). He's sleeping a bit better with fewer/shorter disturbances & not getting up so early and napping much much longer during the day which is helping. I'm going to give him a week then start to make him stay in his cot. Need DH home to give me a bit of a break before I start that.

Hope everyone else & their LOs are well & enjoying the last of the sunshine (glorious morning here ) x

hi all thought I would have a peep in and an update, Talia had her 8 month check up today she's 20lb 12ozs so dropped down the centiles a little bit (on the 75th) but she's between the 91st and 100th for height think if she and Abbie didn't look really alike I would have some explaining to do to DP as he's only 5'8" and I'm 5'3" HV reckons there's a rogue gene somewhere. Abbie is 18 months older and theres only a pound between them in weight about 9cms. They are starting to look like twins please them.

Have started the NCSS with her now, I did already do a lot of what she said re routine at bedtime, same time every night etc last feed lying down in dark quiet room. Have started the pull off - basically (sorry Iris you already know this) when they latch on you let them suck until they start to get sleepy them unlatch them, if they whinge put the back on and keep doing it until they give up and fall asleep, apparently they will learn to fall asleep without a boob. Watch this space...............

Still only 2 teeth here, we have nearly mastered crawling too.

Well better be off hope everyone else and their LOs are doing OK, take care x

Hello all, hope you are having a good weekend... I have a really quick fantastically nosy question.

Anyone else's LO's not have teeth yet? Bee hasn't got a single one, and every other baby I know does, so I'm just curious whether it's the same here...

Hope you are all dandy!

Iris - how are things fairing, is it good having your DP back for a while? My friend insists her DP hinders more than helps, I suppose you get used to doing everything! Dom sounds so cute, poor little itchy thing tho', that can't be fun for him!

SK - how is the NCSS going? I can't believe that there is such little difference between your two! I think I'm so used to Bee being ikkle I forget other babies are bigger, Bee is not yet 19lbs, but Talia has always enjoyed her milk Hopefully she'll start learning to self-sooth, it is such a long and tiring process, we've had to help Bee fall back to sleep on her own because she was used to getting our attention when she was poorly, thankfully that seems to have cleared a little.

Must dash, she's kicking about in her cot and I have laundry to sort, ah fun!
Stars xxx

Hi Lilstarry - Lola has 4 teeth now, they all just kinda appeared in quick succession. Thought they would never come, as so many on here had been talking about teeth coming thru for ages. I wouldn't worry about it, I read they can be a year before the first tooth sometimes!

Hi girls

Haven't seemed to have any time lately to post, so a quick update:

Theo is bombing around on all fours, and seems to have a magnet on his left temple that bangs it into most immovable objects. No teeth yet, but seems to manage pretty well with gums of iron. Now sleeping thru pretty reliably thank god! Still bfing only, but thinking about dropping the daytime.

DH is off tonight with the car to Cornwall, as we have decided to sell our place over there... so I am alone for a couple of weeks with all four of them - aaaagh! Still, I'll be fit, as I will be cycling everywhere Please don't let it rain...

Sleepy vibes to all those wakeful babies out there.

T
xx

Hi all

Not been on for AGES, have been so busy, on holiday etc. We spent a week in Cornwall, which was gorgeous. Dominic was a star and let us have lie ins - he seemed to sense it was a holiday. For whoever was asking about teeth, Dominic has 2 and a 3rd is showing through. He's sort-of crawling now, and he's trying to stand. And he's SOOOO cute!

I'm on the waiting list for my op to fix up the episiotomy mess.. Can't believe it STILL hurts!!!! And we surely are the last people to get back in the saddle - I just don't have the guts. On the health front I've been a bit up and down with the drinking but am feeling positive I can beat it.

Must dash, I'm at work, hello to everyone, sorry to be ignorant will try and catch up on the posts soon,
BR

Hi all - v quick update...
Dom's skin is clear !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yay!!
thae last itchy session was when I had a glass of wine the other night but apart from that his skin is peachy soft & beautiful again

Sleep is still evading us & he's turned into a "teat seeking missile" during the night despite my best efforts to lie as far away from him as possible. It'll get better I'm sure. Feel a bit bad though as DH has been relegated to the spare room & now a camp bed in ours as we've loads of family over for a long weekend

Dom's fave word at the mo is p'tea whenever he sees a mug (ie cup of tea) bless him - I'm sure DD wasn't so chatty this young!!

Lilstarry - DH has been home all week & been an absolute hero helping out(I'm so loved up at the mo - it's great )

Tickle - about 2 weeks on your own with all 4!! Hope you survive intact (& thank goodness Theo is a good sleeper!)

Barrelrider - hope you get up that list quickly - you must be so uncomfortable So pleased you're feeling on the up now too.

Sweetkitty - how's things lovely?

Sorry no time to catch up further but hugs to everyone

Iris brilliant to hear that Dom's skin is all soft - it's sooo hard to see them with anything uncomfortable.

BR - nice to hear from you... hope that op comes around quickly - god that must be horrid. Well done with tackling that drinking

Surviving ok here - this afternoon made the trip (only 2km) to pick up Clemmie. Couldn't leave anyone at home of course, so I had Georgie, Hector and Georgie's friend on their bikes, and Clemmie and Theo in the box of our 3wheel Christiania bike. Oh, and the 2 dogs It's like mobilising an army!

Meanwhile dh is (really) in the middle of nowhere in Cornwall, trying to put our cottage back together after the last tenants left it in a state. Think my end of the bargain is probably the better one

On a mission to clean up the house, and somehow it's much easier when dh isn't around. It is nice to have the place to myself. Is that terrible??

Anyway, will have more time to MN!!
Txxx

p.s. Barrel I just tripped over this thread about not drinking today. Sound like some nice girls!

I SO know what you mean about cleaning the house being easier when DH isn't around! Andy's off to Belize for 2 months on Monday or Tuesday and part of me is really looking forward to getting to grips with this place while he's gone. I even find I get more done on the days when he doesn't come home for lunch, I've no idea why I can't just carry on with what I'm doing regardless of whether he's here or not, but for some reason I just find it easier if I have the house to myself without any interruption from him. I wonder if it's coz when he's here I expect him to do certain things, so I don't do them (regardless of whether he actually does them), but when he's not here I know it's all down to me so I just get on with it.

Lola & I are starting to get over the cold/croup. She's still got a bit of a cough at night but she's sleeping better. Still not crawling, but I don't think it'll be long. Today she figured out how to get from lying on her tummy, to sitting upright, which is a start I spose.

Sorry to hear you're still having sleep probs Iris. Glad Dom's skin's better tho. Lola's just been prescribed various oilatum products for eczema whicch the doc reckons is caused by the hard water here.

I've just updated her website today, its at www.lolarose.me.uk

so true lisa on the expectations front - never really thought of it like that! And because I get on and do it myself (when I'm not on MN that is ) I don't stomp around feeling resentful that he's not doing it!!

Glad you're better health wise too. 2 months is a long time... are there plenty of nice wives left behind for you to hang out with?