March 2013 - time to wrap them all up in tinsel

[StormyBrid]

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.

Can they do that Any? Is it not discrimination giving you the boot while you're on mat leave? Hopefully it'll be the start of something better though, but for tonight...

Gerry sounds like a much better New Year than mine....lets see what the next month brings!!!

Unfortunately betty they can. I requested 2 days and my manager gave a whole list of reasons why it couldn't happen. Not happy with just a letter though - pretty sure they should have told me to my face. Might phone someone who knows tomorrow to see where I stand. Blessing in disguise? When one door closes and all that. I'll miss the easy access to shoes though (check FB to see where I 'work') and I loved the people...

Hmmm. Seems 2014 can only get better for lots of us then!

I'm considering (just considering mind) having a shower and getting dressed for the first time since Saturday tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Luck

oh bum, it's all a bit poo this 2014 business isn't it? We seem to be having a collectively bad start to this year. Sending sea air to all the poorly babies and parents. Pud my most trying time thus far has been baby + migraine. Being ill and having a baby to contend with is hard. Throw in poorly baby too and yes, very grim. Getting dressed is good progress! Good luck with that I might not manage it and I don't have the lurgy
Any I am sorry to hear about your letter. Is it the case that now they have refused your change of hours they still make your old hours available to you, and if so you must hand your notice in rather than get redundancy? I decided to move to Bedfordshire but keep working in Norfolk one day a week to maintain some income and keep professional finger in. I too have been refused so am in exactly same situation as of today. My post is self generated projects so could easily be made to fit one day. My boss today also had the cheek to suggest that even if I worked a four day week a woman with a baby was not right for the role as I couldn't give enough of myself So that is Betty,any, something, plonk and I so far who have been on receiving end of pretty crap treatment in the workplace. And in the twenty first century.
worse I did laugh at you having lost your professional marbles! Am sure it does not feel very funny though. How you getting on with dipping your toe back into the world of work?
Stormy and plonk premature ww not allowed. Only just recovering from last one. Baby asleep now stormy?

Happy belated birthday yummy. Sending apple and walnut crumble and pink fizz.

Going to bed grumpy tonight after all the work wrangling. I don't like that feeling. I will pop over to aibu for a few minutes to cheer myself up! night all.

Ladies to the work situation. I agree
with eco, a bit shocking in the 21st century.
Hope you all move onwards and upwards.

pud and stormy hope you feel better
soon. Noro is grim. Sending healthy vibes
your way.

Not much to report here, still doing a
night feed despite 3meals and 21oz milk in
the day- he's a bottomless pit and nails
7oz at night. Not looking forward to any
Wonder weeking! I'm not back to work
just yet but will need to work on the sleep
beforehand.

Hope everyone ok
Happy new year

Sorry to those who are having work troubles. Its like we are being punished for having children. We still have a long way for equality. I have yet to hear from work about my part time hours. Im very anxious going back to. Since being pregnant I feel so dumb. I can't think. I have no idea how I will cope at work. I hope it gets better.

Ds now passes me what is in his hand when I say taaaa. even if it is baby language. He waved bye too yesterday. Shame he will not repeat it now. Babies are so cute at this age.

I have started my healthy eating now. I need to lose loads of weight before I start ttc baby 2. I was lucky with my pregnancy not to have any complications but I don't want to take the risk again. Its funny but I lost weight whilst pregnant but piled it back on after. I was totally put off everything during pregnancy but got back my appetite after birth.

Any that sucks they've turned you down. Any possibility of making a living from beautiful crocheted items? I for one would definitely be in the market for new mittens (for DS) and he certainly can't be without a matching hat.

Eco I agree it's a shame so many of us are experiencing negativity from our workplaces. Mine were actually quite accommodating, but as I was no longer on their graduate management conveyor belt I was seen as cheap, efficient labour! I can't blame them, they're a business after all. Life gives lemons etc. so are you now a SAHM? (Which, according to dooce.com actually means shit ass ho motherfeffer...)

We've had an interesting new development here. DS has started crying for attention. He saves this special treat just for me. It started with crying whenever I needed to be away from him for more than 3.2 seconds, and now it's constant. I'm trying to rise above it, let him cry (2 mins here and there) and realise that I will always comfort him but I am a separate person. No idea if I'm doing the right thing. The kicker is that he's waking more at night (4 dummy returns last night) and screaming blue murder at 2 am. Only stops if we cosleep, which dp thinks is manipulative. I've heard that infants can't manipulate but DS seems capable? Hmm. I hope this is a passing phase or wonder week, I start my new job next week and would love proper rest!

So have any of us gone back to work and not been shafted in some way?

Plonky I think the possibility of infant manipulation depends on your definition of manipulation. I doubt DS is doing a Stewie Griffin, but it's entirely possible he's screaming at 2am because he wants to go in with you, and you've shown him that screaming's the way to do it. Fingers crossed it's just a phase though!

yummy I'm back on the weight loss wagon too. Hadn't weighed myself for a month because I was scared to face up to the inevitable gain caused by too many sandwiches. Turns out I haven't gained anything. Result! Good to have the goal of ttc in mind, it does focus the willpower rather.

I think I may have managed the impossible, and learnt to sleep through DD's night time noises! Either that or she doesn't cough at all once I've gone to sleep. Four coughing episodes between 7 and 11 last night, one of which involved milk and calpol, then nothing until milk at 7.30 this morning (an hour later than usual), then back to sleep until 9.40. Can't complain at that, for once I don't feel like a zombie.

Well I went back and it was fine. Of course I didn't change anything . However, dh took over mat leave and goes back Monday. They still haven't responded to his flexi working request but are managing his expectations. Which would pretty much force him to quit. So there again...

My return was fine and they allowed me the hours I requested. However, I just don't feel like I get taken as seriously now that I'm part time. There seems to be an assumption that if you're part time, you're only really working because you have to, and no one expects you to actually have any ambition. They are pretty short sighted when it comes to part timers as well. But I've definitely had a better time of it than many of you.

eco I'm pretty sure that if your boss has implied you're not up to it because you've had a baby, that is definitely not legal!!

It's so sad that many of us are finding struggles with going back to work. I went to hand everything in to my completely patronising arsehole of a manager today and I felt sheer relief. After hearing supervisors whispering behind my back, it's not a welcoming environment and I'm happy to be out of it. Like plonk, I start the new job next week and my now-manager has a 13 week old so I'm hoping she'll be more understanding.

I'm attempting the weight loss but I have no will power. How do you all do it?? I just need to get back to the gym because that's when the weight fell off last time, but reduced hours means less money. Argh!

Well, DS has just learned how to climb onto the sofa. Brilliant and he also took a few steps today. I've been encouraging it for ages but now it's almost here, it's frightening! Teeth 9 and 10 are making their appearance too and (touch wood) we've had only minor grumbles.

I've just cursed it, haven't I? Best crack open the in anticipation... (any excuse)

shattered, yummy, Betty and any others still feeding in the night a piece of research looked at lots of other research and concluded that feeding in night is normal through to one year, so I guess our babies aren't abnormal. I spoke to health visitor about it yesterday and they are setting up a visit for me. They also said one to two feeds is normal but that we would chat more face to face.
yummy we have waving too. Very sweet!
Something congratulations on ending one chapter and good luck with starting the next. You too plonk.
Plonk I am unemployed rather than SAHM. I need to work. So I am looking.
Right now we are driving through the rain to Bedford for the weekend. We are going to a national Trust place for walk and lunch and then we have 12 house viewings set up just so we can get lay of land. The ever useful MN mummy types have had lots of great things to say about Bedfordshire countryside and schools so I am hopeful of what we will find!
Pud you hold on to your hat this weekend. Just seen a Plymouth based science friend and the storm looks epic down there. What is it with this winter and the storms!
Happy weekend everyone!

I appear to be 4lbs lighter than I was four days ago. Slightly alarmed - last time I lost four pounds in four days, DD turned up nine months later...

Wow Stormy, that'd be quite something. I know you want another at some stage, how would you feel if that happened now?

Something all the best in your new job. I'm going to tell everyone I know to boycott a certain theatre from now on! Teeth nine and ten? Walking unaided? Blimey. Is he going to rio in two years time? Weightloss wise I just cut the crap really, and lately that's extended to no grains or legumes, just load up on green veg. Quickly get used to it, and strangely seem to have more energy and a reduced appetite. We'll have to start getting lost in wooded areas with our boys in slings, it'll soon fall off

Eco sounds like you've got a busy weekend ahead of you! hope the house hunt goes smoothly.

So as if 2014 wasn't already shaping up to be a fantastic year, it looks like I'm going to be an auntie in September! On the other hand I spent the afternoon battling other saddoes in ikea, then realised I'd have to carry an 18kg set of shelves across the car park on my own.

Wouldn't be ideal, Plonky, but wouldn't be a total disaster - at least an accident would mean bypassing the endless discussions and persuasions. It's extremely unlikely though! Last, ahem, bedroom shenanigans were on New Year's, I was due to start a new pack of pills the day after but realised I'd run out. So unless I'm ovulating within three days of my period ending, it ain't happening. I can dream though.

An 18kg set of shelves is good practice for having an 18kg toddler to cart around. Should've gone for it.

something no tips here on the willpower for weight loss. Would daily weighing send you insane? I find it helps, because I can see progress. Also helps to not keep anything unhealthy in the house (which is easier said than done here, as the man's a bag of bones as it is so I don't want to cut off his jaffa cake supply). If you can't afford the gym, perhaps you could use DS to do weights?

Agghhh i went and ate homemade carrotcake. It was bloody yummy but feel so guilty. We had guests for dinner so i had to make dessert. something sorry as you can read I have no willpower so can't advise.

Ahhhh ikea, the place that sucks you in and can't get out.

stormy im watching eagerly for you to poas. I secretly think you will be the first out of us for a 2nd baby.

Yummy just emphasise the carrot in your cake. It's not pudding, it's one of your five a day!

Totally went for the 18kg shelf lift. I figured that 1) it cost me money, so abandoning it was not an option, and 2) I can carry three six packs of wine, so now biggie.

Something I agree with Stormy! rid your house of unnecessary treats. I found it best to do this slowly so now if I want something sweet after dinner I have berries or dark chocolate. Took awhile to enjoy it (raspberries are a poor substitute for dairy milk) but it's fine now. Whatever you do, if you put yourself on a strict diet and feel deprived there's no way you'd sustain it. If you make small, life long changes you'll see results.

Stormy stranger things have happened. I guess if you are carrying Fartypants Mk2 you've already got all the kit, you know what to expect and you know you're a great mum already. It's like you're just cutting to the chase. And in case you're not yet having Fartypants mk2, how about a beer?

I'm trying to convince DP to call the ooh doctor. It looks like he's got a hernia. In his downstairs area .

Banish the cake guilt, yummy! As Plonky says, if you cut out everything nice it's unsustainable. The odd slice of cake as a treat is absolutely fine.

Up 0.8lbs this morning. FPmk2 must be growing fast! Or possibly I shouldn't have had a multigrain ciabatta and a glass of wine yesterday. Whoops.

Quiet on here, which I take it means you are all recovering from a stonking good weekend, and making the most of the tiny ones having settled down for an early night. Or something....

Holiday season has officially ended here now, as DH is back to work tomorrow. I will miss him, and his hands on help with the tiddler. I will not miss all the extra tidying up. How is it one extra body creates so much extra work? I don't understand. Although it may have something to do with (warning, sexist comment) him being a man .

Sorry to hear all about all the work related discrimination going on. Nothing ever changes. Nothing ever will. I blame in part the relatively generous maternity package here in the UK, it makes women an expensive risk. It's rubbish but it's true. Years back, age 30, married, and looking to move roles I got the 'off the record' feed back 'she's perfect, the best CV, but we'd rather recruit a younger man' . I'm tentatively looking to get back into the market myself, but it's so hard to leave the worselet, when technically I don't have to. My heart says 'stay at home', my brain says 'please use me' and my head says 'never rely on a rich man to pay the bills'. I guess I'd better return that recruitment guy's call then

Weight loss plans, well I'm no expert as I'm a skinny by genetics, but I do walk a lot, fidget a lot, I don't drink alcohol and I don't eat anything sweet other than fruit. Admittedly this lifestyle does suggest an element of up your own worthy boringness in the style of Madam Paltrow, but hey, no one's perfect.

Worselet world has now expanded to include baby pasta and cheese on toast. Yay! We might even hit stage 3 weaning before the rest of you are on full roast dinners at this rate. Whilst on the subject of food, what's the view on peanut and other nut butters? I eat buckets of the stuff myself, so it would be an easy snack for her smallest-ship. I have the fear though surrounding all things scary allergy linked.

I am ill. forgive brevity. cashew butter with no sugar added jam on toast is popular here worse. something and plonky have fun being the new girl tomorrow! Right, back to Mr Rochester.

I live on almond butter. Ds enjoys it too!

Peanut butter is a big hit here too. Fartypants would eat it straight out of the jar if I'd let her. Just make sure your phone's on hand so you can ring an ambulance if the worselet does turn out to be allergic.

I figured the amount of peanut butter I ate when pregnant would take things one of two ways... He loves it.

No nut butters tried here but I'd definitely give them a go if I had any in!

Pud how are you feeling? Did you make it into work?

We had a few good nights sleep here with one or two wakes but no feeds before 6 (which was amazing) and then last night she obviously realised she was missing a trick and was up every 90 mins. Urgh.

Busy weekend here trying to sort the house and all the crap in it out and doing some sales shopping where I managed to buy 3 pairs of shoes and take down all of Christmas which always makes me a bit sad.

Wors congratulations on the weaning progress, it sounds like things are going brilliantly. We've had some progress here too, cucumber and pasta are back on the menu!

As for the dieting, well done on all the weight loss and don't worry about the slip up Yummy, you can't ban everything good all the time or life would be no fun!