November 2012 - Next stage car seats and yet more teething

[StuntNun]

Previous thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/1808232-November-2012-Summertime-and-the-babies-are-sleeping-mostly-with-a-few-notable-exceptions

R has discovered the joy that is knocking down a tower of stacking cups.

But he gets really upset that is tower is destroyed

I think it is normal that babies (and people in general) prefer food which has been cooked to a recipe to food which has just been cobbled together. Recipes are written by food experts and have been tested on loads of people. I wouldn't take it personally.

I'm feeling very down today. DD1 just had a temper tantrum because I wouldn't let her sit in my seat and dug her fingernails hard into my arm and scratched. These little violent outbursts are getting more and more common, and I don't know what is causing them or how to stop them. It's so unpleasant, especially as she is such a nice child naturally. I'm thinking the stress I have been under is getting to her. But I am now at a point where the whole situation follows me around like a black cloud. I know I shouldn't let it get to me but it has. I hate unfairness, I hate liars and I hate feeling powerless. I daren't try a xanax when on my own with the children but today I am hardly functioning.

Three more weeks. The girls deserve better than this.

detective Evian water is suitable for babies to drink

Yep I give Evian whenever abroad or in car and can't keep water coolish

We don't stock bottled water in chez detective .

PR Your girls are very lucky, you are a fab mum ! Dont let those other bastards get you down.

And your 2 year old wouldnt be normal if she didnt test the boundaries sometimes:)

She's 2 right PR? I think it's par for the course sadly rather than something you have or haven't done.

Just keep disciplining the unacceptable behaviour and picking which battles to fight. You can't win them all so I'd start with this one and find a solution that she responds to?

Toddlers aren't my speciality though so I think other mothers of the little buggers darlings may be better placed to advise. :)

O just made short work of an apple slice. Skin and all. Choked a little on the last bit and he sent it flying out, and it hit the dog on the nose.

PR we are at our most violent at the age of 2. Fact. You are doing a wonderful job under extremely difficult circumstances. I have had to forgive myself my failings too (hug) just make sure she has cuddles and reassurance of you love - more for your benefit than hers. She is also adjusting to the fact that this cute baby is actually staying, and growing. Quite hard for a little brain.

Kyz that is great E likes cows milk, but as others have said, only in wee amounts as a drink. It is fine to use it in milk puddings, with cereal and in recipes, but formula and water, mainly formula for drinks until age 1. It will save you a fortune in formula and yoghurts if he is happy to drink milk

Thanks vq

I wish DD1 would drink cows' milk. She still insists on formula, though we have cut it down to 3 6oz bottles a day.

PR hugs. My DD (also 2) can be the same. She is usually a charming, sunny-natured and obedient child, but sometimes lashes out in rage. I think it is normal. And the effect it has on me can vary along with my mood. Deep breaths. Be kind to yourself.

Det You sound pretty convinced. If it were me I'd be going to a childminder, buty is there some compromise so you dont cause an unpleasantness? I.e. childminder mostly but odd day with MIL?

pass going back to work nerves are worse than actually being back at work. Tru-fac.

chasing I am sure your stepmmum didnt mean to be unkind. And as nice as it must have been for you to camp out there, you need to be in your own place too. I'm sure that once you have gone, she will desperately miss you both.

pidj & VQ sorry for shite nights.

kirrin 6am definitely counts as a lie in! high-5!

stunt S does eat weekabix on its own but I'm sure he took a while to really take to it.

Anyone else with other DC/ lots of contact with other kids enjoying how LOs are interacting now? S really luffs DD. She's always mothered him/cuddled him hit him and stolen his toys if he shows any interest whatsoever in them and he's always watched her, but now they really play. I have loads of pics of him "helping" her in whatever she is doing, like reading stories together, playing with her kitchen together, playing with her babies together. Now is really moving at pace, they play a game where she runs into the next room shouting "Seffy cant get me, cant catch me", and he chases after her, and then she shrieks "Seffy is coming to get me" and then usually runs past him to get away. Every time she runs past him he sits up and claps, and then lurches after her with the biggest grin on his face. It's LUSH to watch. of course, it's not always delightful, y'day DD bit him and twated him around the head with a toy rolling pin, but there are increasingly nice moments of interaction between them

About 5%of the time I love watching DD1 and LO interact. She showers her with kisses, and when she cries tells me with a very concerned look on her face as if I am deaf and they laugh together.

The other 95% of the time is a little less carefree and I am worried about LO being kicked / hit / scratched. But that will pass, right?

Slight exaggeration there. It's probably more like 7% to 93% if I'm being completely honest.

Afternoon, today is not a good day here, no fun at all. E is very upset and nothing is pleasing him :( he is not sleeping well when usually he does and he is just whining his way through the day. I may have to give calpol later I think. Have been giving teething granules so far and they seem to help but not fix, iyswim.

I won't give him cows milk as a drink then :) I may buy a tub of normal formula for him to have a drink of warm milk with his breakfast on occasion or something. I'm not brave enough to give him any of his bottle after his breakfast or with it yet, because if he refuses it he's oz's down and he is just having 20-24oz ATM with solids. I am glad he likes it though! I might give e other milks to try in cooking or as a little drink at some point, just to let him try it really. I won't rush though, will leave it till he's older and doesn't 'need' the formula.

If he keeps waking and there's no teefs soon I might have to offer another bottle back. Can't think what else it could be :/

pr I've known lots of toddlers to do similar things and they're usually really good kids that just lash out. The way i see it is there's plenty of times I'd like to twat people round the head but you just don't cos, well, you don't. Your lo will grow out of it and learn you just don't, I guess for now she's just pushing boundaries and letting out any pent up steam she's got in a bit of a naughty manner. You are a wonderful mum though you've just got a hell of alot to deal with ATM!

det apple is on my 'not brave enough' list. To be honest I need a slap or kick or something, I keep giving e only fruit purée or in his mesh thing as he gags most on fruit, probably cos its slippery, and I am scared

Ugh. Time to cook.

Calpol is your friend kyz :)

Thank you for your kind words. I'm fairly sure I remember being bollocked for lashing out physically when I was a small child. In fact I remember one occasion very very clearly and still believe she deserved it but anyway when I was no more than four.

I'm watching Escape to the Country. It's near Dumfries today - I wouldn't mind going and living near there. Sea, hills, close enough to home but not too close, and lots to do (spent lots of holidays there during my teens).

I need to write my bestseller and get out of this lovely but stifling area.

I don't do raw apple yet. Other than nuts and whole grapes it's on my avoid list. I might just be traumatised by Snow White. Like pig by Enid Blyton :o (yes it was the Famous Five and it was George who saw the face at the window but she wasn't scared because she was just like a boy; Anne of course would have been terrified)

That's where I'm from pr!

It's one of my favourite areas. If I win the lottery I am going to start my travels of the world with a detailed trip round the British Isles, will find my dream house then go off round the world while it is being made perfect for me.

Sounds good. I was brought up in Kirkcudbright - nice to look at, naff all to do!

I survived 4kids under 7. I'm knackered, not sure how people do it. They were really lovely though and O was a superstar (apart from nap time, she hardly had any). I'm looking forward to tomorrow, taking it easy and not rushing anywhere.

I will read back at one point, now off to have a long bath.

Kyz DS1 gave it him to be honest. He's the brave one coz I'd of bloody killed him if O properly choked! not me.

Speaking of DS1, he's in the dog house for wrapping the fabric tape measure I've just used around O's neck.

And for picking O up, then walking backwards while watching the TV, and tripping over toys which a) he knew were there, b) he's been told a MILLION times not to walk backwards holding O ever since the falling down the stairs incident and c) not to watch the sodding TV if he is holding O.

RAAAAAH!

I'm not so sure O hasn't reacted to the soya yoghurt. He's been very clingy, but not quite clingy enough for me to say it's definitely a reaction. He was difficult to put asleep for his naps, but I'm not sure if the second nap was so difficult because he was overtired thanks to the bastard dog waking him from the first nap.

Will give it a week or two to settle again, and try again to see if we get a similar kind of thing. It's hard to say really, as he does have these kind of days sometimes anyway.

It's just that he started the morning so happy and cheerful, playing and being lovely.

I've also realised today that O is most definitely a mummy's boy. Only mummy will do when he wants a cuddle or a kiss, or to sit on my knee, or cling to my leg. DP came home earlier and has been ignored. I opened the gate to let O crawl out to him. He looked at him, and then turned and raced for the kitchen . Which is the opposite of his normal reaction - heading straight for the stairs where DP was stood.

He never pesters DP for cuddles and kisses, even though he gives them. As soon as I walk past and get spotted, or come in the room, he's straight for me crawling with speed, giggling and smiling away.

Yes, O, you think I haven't noticed how you never go to your daddy when I am in the room...

I would like 5 minutes peace sometimes...!

we went on holiday every year to castle douglas. spent many a day wandering round kurcudbright. havent been in years but my cousun has jyst moved there so hopefully i'll be able to visit her soon.

Lily respect

Yep. lily deserves cake.

Really kirrin? Small world, eh? I am very rarely there.

Maybe we could have a Kirkcudbright meet? Go camping!

Det R's the same - very attached to daddy, but will choose me if we're together. He clearly adores vdp, though, and it'll be the other way round soon enough once he can kick a ball

R has 4 clear lines on his gums where his teeth are cutting. Does that mean it's nearly all over? please please please please please please please