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March 2013 - time to wrap them all up in tinsel

997 replies

StormyBrid · 04/12/2013 11:21

Old thread here.

worse we're like Plonky on the timings - we keep mealtimes and milktimes separate. I spotted something in Evil Baby Whisperer that suggested around this age milk should be at the time you'd give a snack. Thinking about it, that's pretty much what we do - milk at the crack of dawn, 11am, 3pm and bedtime, food at 9am, 1pm and 5pm. It seems to work, and Fartypants is definitely in the process of reducing milk herself. Those middle two feeds, she's having about four ounces now.

How is the worselet on mush? Does she show any preferences? If we were sticking with baby led weaning we'd be getting absolutely nowhere. Savoury mushes, she'll try a mouthful then get distracted by the cat. Fruit mushes, she practically inhales. For a reduced stress option, can I suggest getting yourself to Asda? They've a hell of a range of cheap fruity mushes, and then at least you're not having to throw away purees you've spent hours lovingly creating.

Incidentally, six month old Molly may love her porridge, but all that means is that Molly's a total weirdo - porridge is vile. It's weetabix all the way round here, with mashed banana in.

eco hang in there, it does get better. How long until 37 weeks for you?

I am thanking my heathen gods we don't have crawling yet. Nappy changes with rolling are bad enough. Especially when it's a particularly horrific one.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
BettyOff · 19/12/2013 12:14

Rainbow it must be lovely having such an easy baby that just gets things, it probably gives you enough time to make bread! My little madam used to use a spoon brilliantly but has evidently forgotten how and just uses it as a catapult these days. She's also thoroughly rejected being BLW as now she'll only pick up bread products, mind you she'll only have weetabix or purees on a spoon these days too. She's gone from portions of spag bol and roast dinner to a diet of cereal, brioche, banana and satsuma s. Savoury food is evil! I dream of having a baby that just gets it but I've never been one to shun a challenge, one day we'll get there probably after years of fish fingers and oven chips

Plonky you've given me hope! Maybe it'll click sometime soon. I also have fears with regards to teeth. DH has very white, very straight teeth but they're rather large. OK on his big man face, not so much on my little girl, mind you my teeth aren't anything to write home about either. Hmm

intherainbow · 19/12/2013 12:21

betty eating is DD special skill so yes I guess she is an easy baby from that perspective. As for time to make bread, I wouldn't if it wasn't so easy (the five minute a day method is pure genuis!). I work full time so honestly do the bare minimum in the house but we prioritise food going on the 'you are what you eat' principle (mind some days I am chocolate!). Mind you the local baker gets used a lot too. We bulk buy once a fortnight week and freeze to use as we need. Also starting batch baking snack foods like mini pizzas with various toppings, spelt and apple stars (from river cottage baby book) - they are a hit when DD has been favouring bread products.

christilass · 19/12/2013 12:34

Worse
Ask. your GP for Cetraben bath additive and cream its fantastic we were given it for mini farmer 5. months ago as they thought he had baby eczema .... although it transpired. that its when mini farmer gets too hot his skin drys up .....not eczema at all .

StormyBrid · 19/12/2013 12:37

We already have daily pruned and apricots. I don't think the problem is lack of roughage, more lack of fluids. We're on about twelve flozzes a day and I'm struggling to get other fluids down her in reasonable quantities. The chemist just gave me some free lactulose (love that minor ailments scheme) so hopefully that'll help.

I just earned myself a great big pile of feminist points. My local supermarket's been carrying the local paper for a few months now, and they've decided to branch out. As I pushed DD up to the till we were confronted by Myleene Klass in her underwear. I complained.

OP posts:
ecofreckle · 19/12/2013 12:48

Just flying in quickly to say that ecobaby is fine Stormy! Unless you dream involved her waking, standing in her cot and shaking the bars crying about 6 times in the night for the last couple of nights and doing same with day time naps?! I think your dream may have been more alarming than that. Hope you are reassured. Thanks for checking! Thanks

yummychocolate · 19/12/2013 13:43

stormy your post made me snort with laughter. I literally thought you saw her but im thinking you saw a 2d version of her. Have you tried baby juices? I know itsnt the same as milk or water but its a start.

For those babies who are stressing about food (or lack of) you will get there. As with grabbing, babbling, crawling and all the amazing skills they have learnt one day it will click.

Anyones ds turning out to be a ladies man already? Miniyummy gives the biggest smiles to females and then shys away.

Shatteredmamma1 · 19/12/2013 15:05

Thanks worcestershire for the tip. I plonked
the whole spoon in the yogurt earlier. He had
a great time and when he opened his mouth
to put it in I managed to get a few spoonfuls
in. All is not lost. I've started to coat all food
in sauces so at least he gets something.
I will sort Facebook too ta for the tip.

Aveeno is also good for eczema. Basically
you need a soap substitute as well as an
oily cream to slather on so yy to cetraben
also.

Plonky yes still here. Weather was grim
wasn't it?!

stormy if you're struggling with mini storm
Then a bit of movicol mixed into milk or
water works very well. Hope she improves
it sounds sore Sad

I used to make bread but haven't done for
9 months- maybe I should look at this 5
minutes a day thing!!

Thinking of doing a bit of CC later ladies -
Hold my hand please!!!

worsestershiresauce · 19/12/2013 15:44

Afternoon all.

Busy day here in Worselet's world. A new top tooth, walking holding my hands, and a trip to view a nursery. She hasn't given me her final verdict on the nursery yet, but I thought it was lovely, and judging from all the happy smiling faces the kids there thought so too. They have timetabled sessions of fun learning, books with photos of what they have done each day, lovely lovely staff, out door play areas, the most amazing outside wooden house, and the older kids have dens and learn French!!!! How times have changed. I'm pretty sure the nursery I went to as a kid was a cold draughty village hall with lots of big thuggish kids,a sand pit, and milk and cookies at break.

Thanks Chisti and Shattered I've got some cetraben, and have ordered some aveeno so one way or another I'm hoping we'll kick this into touch. She's scratching less already, although that might be because she is distracted by the new tooth. First sign was blood dribbled down her bib so I'm assuming it hurts.

Rainbow funny you should mention proper cutlery, we had a go at that here too. Not as a planned startegic move mind, more out of desperation. We were having one of those lunches where everything is yuck, and spoons are the work of the devil... so I offered her a real life proper metal teaspoon of a type she invests much energy into trying to grab of the table and I invest even more into trying to prevent her from reaching. She was so stunned at actually being allowed near said sacred object she ate an entire bowl of what was previously deemed yuck lunch before she realised the folly of her ways. Then she threw a cracker at me. Mummy 1. Worselet nil. Grin

Eco hope all is well with you, and you're coping ok with DH's long days. I've rather too many long days here at the moment too, but DH has 2 weeks booked off over xmas - Yay!

Stormy Mylene in her pants? You did well to complain. Her face is irritating enough without having to view the rest of her.

somethingbeginningwith · 19/12/2013 20:39

Wahey Worselet! Lots of exciting news, and the nursery sounds lovely Smile

yunmy DS is also a ladies man, such a little flirt. Him and Babysaurus today had all the attention!

shattered DP is the bread maker in this house, he has more patience than me. He makes a cracking loaf though, I'd end up making a pancake or something.

Well, I got me a new job today! Part time and just around the corner from home. So, instead of travelling 800 miles a month just on work and only seeing DS for 2 hours a day, I now get 4 and a half days with him and extra exercise from being able to walk to work! I cannot wait to give my notice in tomorrow, it's going to be extremely satisfying!

BettyOff · 19/12/2013 20:58

Congratulations Something, that's brilliant news! Well done you. It sounds like a much better balance all round and hopefully you'll be much happier there than in your current being messed around position!

yummychocolate · 19/12/2013 21:34

Congratulations something. New year new job!

Plonkysaurus · 20/12/2013 09:04

Something I want you flouncing in and out of that office with a big fuck you grin on your face. That'll learn em! You may have witnessed my happy dance yesterday. I apologise.

I am off to an enormous waitrose with my mother and DS today. On the last Friday before Christmas. Why?! Preparing myself for middle class hell.

StormyBrid · 20/12/2013 10:00

Good luck, Plonky, I hope you make it out alive.

Awesome news, something! And glad you've got it all sorted before Christmas, so you can enjoy yourself without worrying about work.

The nursery I went to as a small child was okay, from what I remember. I had all my antenatal appointments there too. The place seems to have shrunk quite a lot...

Blood, worse? From a tooth? Yikes! I must say, I'm not looking forward to the first time DD injures herself enough to bleed. So far all she's managed is head bumps and one inexplicable bruise on the arm.

How did the cc go, Shattered?

yummy yes, I should have been clearer. She was on the front of the Sun. Right by the tills so no avoiding it.

eco glad my dream turned out to be just that! And last night I dreamed of Plonky. I'm not sure why she and DS were in my bed, or why she was trying to breastfeed him, but suffice to say she got her nipple in the wrong person's mouth.

MIL described DD as "such a flirt" the other day. I bristled but held my tongue. She's not flirting, she's being friendly. Stop ascribing sexualised behaviour to my baby!

Is it weird that I'm mainly excited about Christmas because 1) Call the Midwife, 2) Doctor Who, and 3) EastEnders?

OP posts:
Gerrythetootallgiraffeswife · 20/12/2013 11:55

Congrats something, you move fast!

So. Did I ever mention that I have father issues, that I had NO idea I had til dd was born? My dad and I are really close, which considering he had an affair and left when I was 4mo is quite impressive. The OW is now my lovely step-mum, mother of 3 half-siblings. I have spent many years telling everyone I had the most functional dysfunctional family ever. My parents, both real and step, get on well. Both my dad and step dad have me away, got drunk together, have speeches at my wedding. Lovely. My dad worked in banking and spent much of my childhood working and living in far flung countries, taking my brothers, sister and step mum with him. I visited and had wonderful holidays, and always felt so lucky. He retired at 50 and got involved in a business that means he spends winter abroad, leaving in October, back for Christmas, then away again til march. So he missed most of my pregnancy, but luckily got back the day before I had dd. From march to October we saw a lot of him, but then he went away again. I had been hoping he wouldn't. He's just got back, and we're seeing him over Christmas. He's just phoned me to say he's heading back on the 3rd, and won't be back until 4 days after DD's birthday.

This business he's involved in is very important to him, but doesn't really earn him much money. It's also hugely enjoyable, he has a brilliant time doing what he loves. If it was a rubbish job that he absolutely had to do for the money, I think I'd feel better. But it's not, and I'm devastated. I know she won't remember, and that he'll see her soon after, but I'll remember. And I feel like he's abandoning her the way he did me. Which is really unfair of me.

Not really after advice, there's nothing that can be done. But I'm on my own at home, dd is having a super long sleep, DH is at work, and I needed to rant through my tears I'm feeling really sad.

worsestershiresauce · 20/12/2013 13:44

Gerry I'm so sorry. I think parents forget how much these milestones mean. Mine didn't see dd until she was 6 weeks old due to tax residency rules. I was a bit Hmm to be honest, but what can you do. I think you sound like a fantastic family to have turned what could have been a pretty devastating situation round in such a positive way. Credit to you all.

Something Congrats!!!! You star.

Plonky did you get into a fight over the last Heston orange effort? Please tell me you did. It would make my xmas Grin

Stormy you do a pretty special line in dreams Grin.

DH and I are sitting opposite each other both on our laptops. Me MN-ing. Him looking at cars I hope. The worselet is blowing raspberries. God help us!!!

Happy last weekend before xmas everyone. Those of you who are shopping. Fools. Enjoy Wink!!!

PS DH is now blowing raspberries as well Hmm. I am in the middle. I may move...

ecofreckle · 20/12/2013 13:44

Beautiful Gerry I am teary for you too! The reason you feel so bad is because you love him so much! He sounds great. I am sure he will prioritise your lovely girl whilst he is back and she will have fun times and photos with him. Meanwhile there is Skype and whatsapp. I can't advise you of course but I am sorry you are feeling so sad and that you are revisting bad feelings. Maybe you can have a good old heart to heart with him over a few glasses of wine? Hugs to you from Norfolk where it is also naptime and I am listening to the Daily Mail of Radio Jeremy Vine hearing about people missing their family members at Christmas and being a bit sad myself too. Let's have a Brew

ecofreckle · 20/12/2013 19:43

plonky are you still trapped in middle class hell? Let us know you made it out alive please. And, fancy shoving your nipple in stormy's face. tut tut.

worse I'm really pleased your nursery was good. As of now are you all broken up for Christmas then? Whoop whoop! dh has just come home for next week too Smile

gerry how are you feeling now? I went and shelled a stack of almonds and feel better.

something may I add my congratulations? Great decision by the sound of it. Wine here's to your new start!

stormy you can be excited because of TV. I am a little bit excited about downton. Tragic.

As facebook ladies may have noticed we went to see santa today. Big mistake! Also been to doc on advice of health visitor. Waste of everyone's time as predicted. Ecobaby is fine. Have been to my work Christmas do. Upon entering building from chilly wind a colleague who likes to think of me as an evil temptress who wrecks families said 'well you'd not be shivering if you had worn a longer skirt!'. Shock Happy Christmas greeting to you too! In other news we have had a couple of crap nights. Ecobaby now likes to pull herself up to standing in cot in sleeping bag and cannot work out how to sit down so she cries and then takes an age to be resettled. Several times a night. Just us?

Hello to everyone else. It is craft corner here this evening so better get out of Bath. And was it you something doubting your crafty ability? When the babies are older we should meet at my sisters house up near Nottingham and get going. She is crafty teacher and a creative genius. She makes everyone feel like they are craft goddesses Smile

BettyOff · 20/12/2013 20:06

Eco we have the cot standing dance too, it's a bloody nightmare!

I'm sure you looked fab in your family-wrecker skirt Smile. Does she have any reason to suspect you're a temptress?!

My friend's newborn is really poorly so today I'm mostly counting my blessings that I have an amazing daughter. She's challenging, a pain in the ass at times, drives me bonkers but she's amazing.

ecofreckle · 20/12/2013 20:22

it is a nightmare isn't it? If you get a solution please share!
Having been on receiving end of infidelity I am most certainly opposed to family wrecking. Starting my new job as a single lady six years ago my then boss became obsessed by me. Turned up on my doorstep at seven am a couple of times, drove to Notts one Christmas to 'be near me' and was generally inappropriate at work. He had a lovely wife and children too. He is a fair bit older than me. I never led him on one bit, quite on the contrary, but the mistake I made at the time was not speaking to HR about it, but instead speaking to his boss who preferred to deal with it 'in house' so as not to cause any rumpus. The upshot was my never speaking to colleagues about the matter and them drawing their own conclusions. They all think of me as a strumpet not a victim and this particular lady was a big supporter of the bloke so she super hates me with my healthy, young, single, happy ways. apparently that was all too tempting for him. I don't want you guys thinking I'm a home wrecker too Grin

yummychocolate · 20/12/2013 20:27

eco its just jealousy! Im sure you looked lovely. Yes cot standing is annoying until they know how to get back down again. Didnt ecobaby like santa? Ds tried to pull his beard off.

Did I hear you say crafts? I made soap. It smells lovely and all wrapped so its christmassy. Ive also made chocolate in the shape of christmas trees. Tomorrow i plan to make gingerbread men. I soooooo need to go back to work or maybe I should resign and start my own business.

plonky how was your shopping trip? I went to Tesco BiG MiSTAKE. Trollys were bashing into me and the queues were huge. I wanted to hide in the corner.

gerry you have every right to feel sad. Unfortunately not everyone thinks like we do. Im sure it would be nice to have 2 birthday celebrations.
worse i was abit alarmed with blood on dd's gum. I hope she is ok.

betty when we here other babys being unwell it makes us appreciate our LO's. A friends baby was intensive care after swallowing a leaf!

Plonkysaurus · 20/12/2013 21:05

Eco we are all alive and well. It wasn't as bad as I feared, we even managed to stop for a coffee in the lovely cafe. And oh dear, your colleagues sound less than lovely, your old boss in particular sounds like a douchebag. How short was this skirt? Where abouts near notts do you frequent? Having spent a considerable amount of time out in the van delivering wine I know it well. Oh and I'm from there Hmm

Crafts eh? I love a crafty Christmas but I still have a craft hangover from 42 handmade wedding invitations. I also appreciate baked goods Grin.

Worse blood from teething? Eesh sounds tough! No wonder she's been off food and sleep have you tried her with a spoon? hope it's nearly through and she's feeling better.

Betty hope your friends dc is well again soon. It really does make you appreciate what you have. A family friends teenage daughter died a few weeks back. I didn't know her but it hit me harder than it would have done pre-DS.

Betty I can't imagine how it feels but it sounds like he really values the time he gets with dd, no matter how short.

Yummy festive chocs? Am sat here with my mouth wide open. Gimme!

Stormy ....thirsty? I dunno between eco's short skirt and your dream, and my general affection for worse, I could be in danger here.

worsestershiresauce · 20/12/2013 22:48

Eco so aside from the dirty old man and the catty cow, what's keeping you from running with untold glee to the bright lights of Bedfordshire Grin and like Plonky said, how short did you go? We need to know

Crafty sounds fun. I used to make stuff, before I got dull. Perhaps I should start again in an attempt to be cool. More to the point how do you guys find the time to make stuff? Half the time I don't even manage to make dinner. DH practically lives off Waitrose chicken tikka and I eat an alarming number of boiled eggs. Neither of us are particularly thrilled with this arrangement.

I know what you guys mean about feeling the pain of other parents. Radio 4 had an interview recently with a mother who had lost her 15 year old dd to drugs. I was in tears by the end. There are drugs everywhere, and they're seen to be cool. It's something we'll all have to face one day and it terrifies me.

Standing up in the sleeping bag? Nooooo. Please tell me that is a joke. We have sitting whinging, but so far she hasn't worked out that the gro-bag isn't actually a very effective form of ankle binder. Long may she continue thinking that way.

Thank you for the concern, but now the offending tooth is through she is absolutely fine. I think it appeared a little faster than nature intended thanks to some rather over enthusiastic chewing on a toy, hence the slight bleeding.

Not much else to report other than my lovely home made attempt at dinner was apparently disgusting. According to the worselet not DH. DH is not so stupid as to even hint at such a thing. Quinoa crackers however are the absolute bees knees. Middle class before she can walk huh Hmm

ecofreckle · 20/12/2013 23:08

it was short! but it was over thick black leggings and with flat knee high boots. it was more of a bum coverer really so that I did not look proper Slaggy Grin

Gerrythetootallgiraffeswife · 20/12/2013 23:39

Thank you lovelies. Feeling better now, DH got home, I got my hair cut, friends brought round mulled wine for present exchange. I think I just surprise myself sometimes because it never used to make me sad when he went away. My dad is pretty young (mid fifties) but mega unhealthy, overweight, heavy smoker etc. he won't be around forever, in fact I worry he won't be around for long. It would break my heart if dd doesn't get to know him properly.

Probably a good thing he didn't bring me up though. Terrible influence. He just sent my sis and I a message "daughters dear. We have in excess of 100 bottles of wine. Bring your drinking boots xx".

Anypants · 21/12/2013 00:16

Gerry Grin at the drinking boots.

Had mine on this evening with a night out with the post-natal girls. Have had my first boozy night since DD and feel not too bad. May regret it in the morning when DD is standing in her sleeping bag (yup, here too - nearly didn't go out because she refused to lie down) yelling at me...

I'll post proper tomorrow with a Brew