Nov 05 - Neeeeeeeooooooowwwww! Babes are on the move!

[Rodeo]

Fresh thread for the Summer

ChaCha - I'm with Nova on the crawling front, whatever works for Z will be fine. Everything they do is good for brain development.
I'd say go for it with the cot. Ash can stand/sit up in his cot and does so but if he's tired he will sleep. Its very cute when I go in to get him in the morning and he is standing up grinning at me. May just take Z a while to get the message tho if he's not used to cot.

Can't remember when we first gave Tessa goats cheese tho Ash has had it already. I think as long as its pasturised then there shouldn't be a problem. Not sure about jars and sore bottoms either. Ash has had a few jars but no reaction on the bottom front and unlike Noo he wolfed them down (boo hiss from Mummy!) though he has done that with everything we have given him so far He thought he was in heaven on Saturday as we ended up in Pizza Hut for tea - he demolished garlic bread, chicken strips, wedges, pizza and ice-cream. Not an AK diet I'm sure

Right, 2 paddling pools out, student here to entertain children so I'd better clear up the bombsite that is our house.
Maybe talk later.

Afternoon
B & J have been taken to the park this afternoon by their cousin after being at the Dr Who themed chuch activity morning and J is having a nap (think this is the 5th attempt at being put down!) so it's v quiet here!
Although probably a good thing, J was awful last night, standing up sobbing and sweaty, refusing to lie down, then waking up at 2am doing the same thing....thinking about it now I'm wondering if she's teething or coming down with something? Maybe some Calpol may have worked, will bear it in mind for later....
Chacha, maybe it's an ingredient in the jars, rather than actual jarred food (berries, tomatoes?)? Tomotoes make J's bottom quite sore, so have to limit them, which is a shame as she loves cherry tomatoes. Also J is pooing (sorry!) more in the heat, probably to do with the amount of fluids shes glugging, and the frequent nappy changes don't help. Can you make dh anything? With Z's help at all? Maybe you could make a father/son collage if you have a spare frame? Photos/magazine pics/handprints etc? Don't think your being stingy either
Diege, oh not another migraine....maybe it's the relief of recent hard work? How is your sister now? must've been awful
Tessasmum, students to entertain? Oh, are they from the nanny college or something? And 2 paddling pools - that's just greedy!
Londoner, how did picnic with 'the girls' go? Don't know why I'm asking as I know the answer will be 'lovely' LOL can't imagine your reply being 'a disaster'! How's Rock School? Saw an article about a 'Stunt School' recently for boys and girls over 8, Joe would love that! Pity he's still 4!
Beks 'What's eggy bread?'?! Although I don't know what a fried slice is! We call it 'egg dipped in bread' for some mental reason, don't think it's physically possible to dip an egg in bread! Dp calls it 'gypsy toast' (the ponce) I'm a savoury girl myself, like mine with HP sauce!
BOB - thinking of you x
Right, I can hear a little girl crying (standing up no doubt!) speak later x x x
Oh and good luck with the cot Chacha! Go for it!

Meant to ask Nova, have you found anything out after your exciting Sat night? If anything happens round here my first enquiry call is the local, if no joy from there I resort to buying the local paper for a few days! But then I am quite nosy.
J is up now (after no or very little sleep I suspect) lounging on my knee tired out, the madam, thinking 'I've won, Jessie 1 - Mummy nil'

ALSO (sorry!) need info on back carriers! We tried the wilkinet on dp's back on Sunday and it was bad, Jess wasn't comfy at all (she looked like she'd been splattered onto his back!). So we want a sturdier one dp can carry for hols/ walks/picnics. Has anyone got a good one they could recommend?

Afternoon!! Just back from lovely picnic with dd1 at out local 'big' park, lots of bouncy slides, trampolenes etc, so she was in her element. Also had a craft corner that I hadn't seen before, so spent a good hour 'supervising' jewellry box construction . Nice to catch up on my mags too, whioch had been on 'hold' while marking!
RODEO, lol at your dp's poncy bread, awww, bless..Your DR.WHO morning sounds inspired, what a great idea. J is very jealous as she is OBSESSED with anything dr who-ish, and had her own scrapbook with piccies cut out of mags etc.
Re: back carriers, we have a great framed one that has done for all 3 (well, not L yet, but that's only cos dd2 still monopolises it . It's by 'TM' which is a brand that has grinning hippo under the 'TM' mark. We were given it by a friend, but I know there are loads of similar one on the market. Think the framed ones are best as these will last for years, and generally come with detatchable shade that protects from sun/rain. You can check ours out at Whitby .
CHACHA: As a veteran of jars, can't say I've had any problems in the bottom dept . Could it be to do with Z's teething perhaps? Or maybe just more wet nappies as Rodeo says?? On the cot front get him in there girl!!! Just reminded me of my own cot problems when I was expecting dd2 (and dd1 was 7/8months). Really had a battle on my hands, and was glad I had it sorted before dd2 was born. Not to put you off or anything...
NOVA: yes, we need goss'. Must have been pretty dramatic, but a bit scary too I'd imagine. How does it feel to be on due in March stream??? I won't peek, honest!! (feels rather like 'trespassing!!')
TESSA: you have inspired me for the pizza hut birthday lunch on Thursday!! Was going to take jar/yogurt, but may now brave it with 'bits' that the others will no dount leave!! Mmmmm. could just eat a large cgheese and tomato now..
Right, off to post officde to see if J's pressie has arrived!!! (pleaseeeee!!!)

Hello all

Thanks so much for your kind messages..I'm feeling a little better today after a looong nights sleep and spending a lovely day out with a friend.

Diege and Londoner..your picnics sound lovely they are one of my favourite ways to spend hot summer days..

Londoner - your boys sound like quite the heartbreakers! I thought so after seeing the pics of them..bet you are very proud!

Chacha - is Z teething? O got a very sore bum whilst he was, which I was told is down to excess ammonia being produced. good luck with the transition to the cot..we had trouble..and tears (from all of us!lol) when O moved from his tiny baby crib to his 'big boy' cot..but it sdidn't take long until he was settled.

beks - phew that you avoided the pox..that wouldn't be nice in this sticky heat!

Nova - gosh what a drama, do you know what happened! and all you need is noisy neighbours when you're sleep deprived anyway!

Sorry to have missed anyone..the boy is awake and hollering for me.

thanks again..like beks said we are really lucky to have all stumbled across this in the vast world of the web and become such a great support and friendship network.
bob
xx

DP just called to say he's booked us into a lovely restaurant and to meet him there from work..don't know what to do..I don't feel like going out, but then I didn't earlier and I felt so much better having done so..
I know he's trying to do his best..just seeing him makes me cry, he's so sad, yet desperately trying to help, and I think, feeling a bit clueless as to what to do.

BoB - good to hear from you. I would say go out, you both need to be together doing nice things even if its hard. Staying at home will probably be hard too.

Rodeo - LOL at nanny college, nothing so grand. She's doing a BTec in Childcare and is with us on her 'baby placement'. Luckily she has to work with the whole family which is just as well as Tessa monopolises her as much as possible.
2 paddling pools is very greedy but we had to borrow nextdoor's to find the leak in our airmattress before we go camping next week, ours is tiny, could hardly fit T and A in let alone a double airbed!

We have a Karrimor backcarrier that is brilliant and very comfy (I took Ash up to the last London meet-up in it so had handsfree for Tessa, trains etc) Got it for £10 at NTC sale but they retail for about £110 with all the accessories (which we don't have but haven't needed as yet) You might get a bargain on ebay.

Wrinklytum - nice to hear from you again, your absence was noticed
Sick babies are no fun in this heat (or any other time really)

Right, Daddy's home, need to look busy

Evening,
Bob, I think men are often torn between dealing with their own grief and being supportive to their partners in these sad situations, I know dp was. Hope you had a relaxing evening whatever you decided on
Diege, glad you had a lovely day, 'big park' sounds great! B&J have to dress up in white shirts, ties, shorts and trainers tomorrow, take a picture of cybermen (ahhhh thats what I came on the internet for! Mustn't forget!) and find out which Dr Who eats jelly beans for team points. Any ideas?! What have you got J for her b'day?
Tessasmum, very of your bargain carrier!! Wow! LOL at you trying to find hole in airbed! Wish I'd thought of that, we binned our last one due to unlocatable puncture! Where are you going? Is it outside Bristol again? Thanks for ebay tip, have got one on my watch list, will bid closer to end time, fingers crossed!
Right off to search for cybermen and daleks

Rodeo - I'm not sure what make our back carrier is, but I know I'm never going to use it. Think I got it on a bit of a whim, caught up in the ebay frenzy, so you're welcome to have it. The instructions are in German though!

Hi RODEO!! Think it's Tom Baker who was the jelly bean fiend, but don't hold me to it! Have got J a playdough hair studio for her birthday - I know it's a bit 'young' for a 5 year old, but it's what she asked for . Also the dreaded bratz doll, and other 'bits'.Good luck with e-bay!!
Well I think it's the hottest it's been here just now, believe it or not , and I have a pile of ironing to get through before bed . The girls are lying on top of the covers and moaning about the heat, and poor L is zonked out in her nappy and high summer bag. She went to nursery on the front of DHs bike today, with dd2 on the back (got the front seat off friend who lives in Holland where they all use them)looking soooo cute. She sort of looked like those dogs you sede with their heads out of the window, enjoying it, but slightly bemused and shell shocked by the whole thing . Had a smile on her face though, so must be good!
Right, ironing!!

BoB, I'm so truly, dreadfully sorry to hear your sad news. I hope you're getting lots of help and support from family and friends right now so that you can rest a bit.

Londoner, I have an older brother whom I get on well with. I never wanted to have an only child, but for reasons I won't bore you with, ds is probably going to be one. DH and I are already making a point of ensuring he is mixing with plenty of other babies/children, which we'll have to ensure continues as he gets older. But I'm sure it will be fine - we'll just adore him on his own without having to share the adoration out!

I can't believe how busy everyone's been! What with all these outings and picnics and barbeques and Christenings going on, people will start to think one can still have some sort of life after having children!

Anyway, better go and make up some bottles for tomorrow.

Chully

Rodeo - I forgot - our backpack is hundreds of years old, having been through 1st one sil's 3 kids, then another sil's 2, and now we've got it! But the 1 good thing about it is the frame that opens out into a stand when it's put down, so ds can be fed etc in the middle of the woods!

Hello,

Bit busy at the mo, run ragged yesterday getting kids here and there on hot buses and trains and E doesn't seem to want much more than milk in this heat so the milk bar is needing mucho calories! Another busy day today taking ds2 to art course in London, free through Gifted & Talented programme [proud mummy]. Will stay in town with the girls til pick up and visit something, art gallery or whatever...... should be a nice day.
Lovely to read about your siblings everyone, really interesting.
BoB, hope you're managing okay, thinking of you, especially tomorrow.x
BEKs, glad you managed to escape the Chicken Pox [phew]!
GG, how did HV visit go?
Chully lol at back pack a 'hundred' years old......
Rodeo, of course you know I give you the edited highlights, am up to my ears in it most days.
Love to all.........

Hi all!

Bob, hope you had a lovely time last night. How are you feeling today?

Beks, you must be so relieved to have avoided the pox. Looking forward to seeing you guys on Sunday. Off to buy sweets for the pinata this afternoon.

ChaCha, did you try Z in his cot? How was the birthday morning? DH's birthday is coming up next week and I'm not sure what to do either. Will be interested to hear how it goes. Rosie has jars with no problem but I agree with Rodeo that maybe it's a particular ingredient. I definitely recommend Weleda nappy cream. It's calendula and is very soothing. Much prefer it to Sudocrem or even Metanium.

Wrinklytum, good to hear from you.

Londoner, sorry I haven't replied to your email. Illness has descended on our house again. First Rosie, then me, then Tobes and now Rosie again. Looks like Toby is going to need to be circumcised!! I'm sure he'll be fine but I'm really dreading the whole hospital experience and seeing my baby in pain. Laid awake last night thinking about it.

We've got Toby's 4th birthday party on Sunday. It's a pizza making party at our local Pizza Express and hopefully kite flying on the heath afterwards. It's a Lazytown theme and they don't sell the merchandise yet so I'm getting creative!

Very interested to hear all of your snack and menu ideas. I've been fine with Rosie's diet limitations but I'm starting to struggle now that she's having finger foods. Bread or toast with spreads and cheese were standbys with Tobes. I have found an organic baker at Borough Market who makes an oat bread that Rosie can eat. It's as dense as a slab of concrete but she loves it and it makes things much easier.

As for siblings, I have a brother who is 4 years younger than me and my sister who is 9 years younger than me. My brother and I have never been very close but there's no animosity between us. We just don't have a great deal in common. My sister and I are very close though. We look quite different (just ask Bob!) but are on the same wavelength and have some shared interests which I think makes a big difference.

OK, Tobes keeps shouting 'Watch this Mommy!' so best run. Hello to anyone I've missed. Hope you're all keeping cool. I'm going to start doing Bek's rain dance here. Can't stand the heat!

Hello everyone!

Well this morning I discovered that Nathaniel and I have something weird in common. I've been struggling to feed him cereal in the mornings - he totally rejects anything mixed with milk, will just about tolerate it mixed with apple juice or yoghurt. So today I was eating a breakfast bar and he was reaching out for it so I gave him a tiny bit and he wolfed it down (not realizing until three tiny pieces later that they have honey in them ) So them I thought why not try some plain Weetabix and he LOVED it - funny thing is that when I was little the only cereal I would eat was plain dry Weetabix. Like mother, like son!

Well gotta run as I have ANOTHER job interview today. Having plenty of interviews, but no job offers yet . And we're off to States tomorrow for ten days so got to iron DH shirts (cleaning lady is on hols right now) and finish packing what seems to be the entire contents of our house .

Hope everyone is well and not suffering too much in the heat.

Really must run as Naathaniel is now climbing on top of the TV and is aout to chew some wires - I really really must make house more childproof .

J & N xx

Morning all

How was your meal last night bob?

LilJ - Have a good time in the States, and god luck with this job interiew.

Tex - Has the circumcison for Toby been on the cards for a while? If so have you put pressure on the docs to do it, or is it them saying it really needs to be done? Very interested as Sean is still ballooning when he wees, although in less discomfort, and I think the blood in his nappy was most lkely related to that as the end of his willy is often very red. I want it done sooner rather than later, as I've heard its very painful as they get older, but if he has it before he's 5, he has to go to Southampton, and don't get me started on how bad that hospital is.

Londoner - wow! ds2 on Gifted & Talented programme. HV visit was fine thanks, she's just doing them regualrly to check how I'm getting on with having Rich at home. She's really nice, and we just sit down for an hour or so chatting!
On the siblings front, it was like being an only child for me. My brother is 14 years older than me (just my mums), so he moved out when I was about 3.5, and most of that time was spent in YOIs etc, so I don't remember him being at home at all. I had another brother who would be 4 years older than me, but he died following an acident aged 2.5. My dad had the snip after Richard was born, and then reversed after he died, but although I have always known this, I've always imagined the 2 of us would have been realy close, with my big brother looking after me, vetting boyfriends etc!

ChaCha - how did the cot go last night? We are in a similar boat to you, trying to get Sean to go to sleep in his cot, and then stay there past 2am (although the 2nd part of that is my fault, I became lazy, and started laying down to feed him, doh!) Happy Birthday to Mr ChaCha! The jars are often choc full of tomatoes, so maybe thats whats giving Zayn a sore bum?

Wrinkly - good to see you posting. Glad youre still around.

I met up with a couple of other mums from the site yesterday. It was a nice afternoon, and the LOs go on very well. Fortunately none of them had been researching me, like the last one!

Off to Owens gfs house today! Mums birthday tomorrow, then up to Wales on Friday. Will be the 1st time most of DPs family have met Sean, and 1st time we'll have seen the (current) youngest of the grandchildren (no.13 is due in a couple of months!!)

Happy Birthday to Jasmine tomorrow if I don't get on

Hi GG, we have known that a circumcision was a possibility since Tobes was tiny. He has a tight foreskin but so did DH (he'd kill me for saying it!) and DH's stretched as he got older and was fine. Unfortunately T keeps getting infections and, though it doesn't balloon when he wees, he does tend to wee about 90 degrees to the right! I agree about having it done sooner. If it does need to be done (and I really think it will) I'd like to get it done before the end of the summer while my sister is here to watch Rosie. One of my concerns in the whole locker room situation when Tobes is older. I would hate for him to be teased or singled out because his willy was different! Do you think that's a possibility? This is one of those times where I don't really know the cultural differences. Circumcision is standard in the States but there was one boy in my highschool who wasn't circumcised and everyone knew it! And that was in a school of 3500 students. Hate to think of T being the odd one out.

LilJ, where are you going in the States? Have a fantastic time.

Oh and GG, what an amazing story about your father's vasectomy reversal! It's nice to know that it's possible.

OK, off to try and cool down.

Morning
Children have gone off dressed as Dr Who this morning, will try and put pic on Yahoo, they look so funny!
GG, How sad about your older brother If it wasn't for him, then you wouldn't have been here or Owen or Sean....I've only got the one sister, she's 3 years younger and we're v.close, we were really close as children too but argued like all siblings. We never really had to say sorry, we'd just know what each other was thinking/feeling, it's the same now! We're always ringing each other at the same time too, eating the same chocolate bars at the same time in different houses etc. We also had a ghost at home when we were teenagers too but that's another story!
Tex, my dad loves Borough Market! He's in London alot with work and visits when he can, there's nothing like it up here! Hope Tobes has a lovely birthday
Lil, good luck with the interview, you busy busy woman! And have a great time in America
Londoner, glad to here things are getting chaotic your end too! Your kids are getting to do some fab things. You're doing fab with the breastfeeding (and you GG & Tessa) how is it in the heat? I have 3 Bravado feeding bras going spare if anybody's interested? Medium sizes, a black, white and a spotty B&W one
Diege, awwww! Libby must have looked so cute! I've never seen one myself, but they sound cool! Hope J has a lovely birthday too, love those playdough hair things!
Nova, thanks for the kind offer bidded on one last night, but don't think I'll get it. If not and if you're sure I'd be happy to take it off your hands. I'll send you a cheque for what you paid plus P&P (no rounding it down!) I'll let you know tomorrow
Chacha, So did you or didn't you?! The cot that is!
Jess is up from her nap now, a early one as she woke this morning at 6 in a poo body pack. Yuk, all bed clothes currently in a hot wash and had to bin her vest. It was soooooo disgusting
Speak later x

Tex, I'm also interested in the whole circimucision thing; dh landed up getting it done when he was 21 - not an ideal age for this!
Neither of us wanted ds to go through the whole thing of having it done late, so I got my gp to refer us to a consultant, who agreed to do it on the nhs, despite there being to medical requirement. Anyway, we're on the waiting list (although we may yet chicken out when our number is called...) so I'm interested to know others who are doing this.

Incidentally, I was also concerned about ds being the odd one out at school, so had a long discussion with dh about this - he thought I was mad, and told me he had no idea who at school was or wasn't circumcised, since boys 'don't look at things like that'! Apparently.

Chully, my DH said the same thing! I thought it was just him not taking any notice but it sounds like it really wouldn't be a problem. Well, looks like I've discovered another cultural difference! In Texas the boys seemed to always notice everything in the locker room and then spread it around the school. Everyone knew who was and wasn't (ahem) well endowed and of course the poor guy who wasn't circumcised. How true their observations were is another question!

Tex, lol at the 'well endowed' thing!

One of the other reasons I thought for having ds circumcised was so that he would look like his father. However, ds's own father was done, whereas he himself wasn't (until 21), so I asked whether he found that wierd. He told me that he thought it was just something that would automatically happen when he got older!!! Presumably he just thought the end would drop off on it's own accord!!!

Morning ladies,

Have enjoyed reading all the sibling stories, very interesting. Rodeo - I'm interested in your ghost story, tell me about yours and i'll tell you about mine...he heee!! Hope you get a pic posted of kids all dressed up, how sweet!
LOL @ pooh body pack We had similar this morning just as I went in to DH's quarters to get him - swifly passed him to grandpa as he needed a kiss and cuddle right then

Thanks for all asking about cot transition - didn't happen unfortunately. DH had friends over and kept him downstairs with him until gone midnight so of course, he fell asleep on sofa and then slept up here with DH. Must try asap.

RE: CIRCUMCISION, DS will eventually be circumsized, DH wants to wait a while whereas I want it down now while he's young enough. The circumcision of a child for us is a very big event that involves much celebration afterwards - we will have to invite many people and arrange lots of food etc. A memorable event you see.
FWIW, lots of DH's friends got cirumsized in their 20's and 30's when they converted to Islam - apparently all okay after healing process over.

Think you are right, probably an ingredient in the jars made his bum sore. I have used the earth friendly calendula cream and he's fine now. Latest favourite snack is the Organix carrot sticks - sort of like wotsits - yum yum!

Diege - Image of kids on bike just lovely

Hope I've not forgotten anyone, oh Londoner, enjoy the day, and yes, proud mummy emoticon for you and quite rightly too!!

Made DH cooked brekkie and the Amazon book that he's been waiting for for 3 months arrived too Talk about good timing - he was very chuffed! We have a choice of da vinchi code or superman over meal this evening, looking fwd to it and i hope it rains!!!

Sorry for babbling on...love to all x

Chacha, does circumcision symbolise something? Why the big party? I'd be very interested to know more. I want to put a positive spin on it for Tobes. We've already talked a little about him having an 'American style' willy.

Oh and Chully, one of the boys at school was known as 'Tree Trunk'!! A friend confirmed that the nickname was very appropriate.