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.

How are you today any?
eco I laughed too. poor eco baby...!
.
We have dada and baba stormy. Does
that count????! And intentional pointing
(To cup etc)

Good idea on the glasses gerry /
rainbow. We are on sippy cups for
Water and bottles for milk. DS will
also not hold his bottle! Don't think
it's occurred to him. He did grab it
today to play with though- but hit
himself in the face!! cue
screaming.

Got a party tonight but can't be
A*sed. Run down from a virus.
When did I get so boring??!

worse hope mini worse better?

Happy Friday ladies

ohh eco bless you both, but I too chuckled. She was just inconvenienced and wanted to sleep!

We’ve not even attempted glasses or shot glasses or cups. What clever babies DS seems content with his sippy cups and he still drains both bottles – 1 in the morning and 1 before bed, both 210ml.

Well, they’ve not paid me my final wage and instead put it to the great use of repaying my OMP. DF is so concerned for me, bless him, he’s talking to solicitors but after speaking to people in Legal and Employment, I’ve got a mixed bag of responses. Some say that they have acted within the law, albeit in a nasty way. Others have said they’re acting on dodgy ground and it’s worth getting a lawyer to at least send them a letter to scare them into seeing that I won’t let it drop. I pleaded with HR not to take it in one lump sum, but instead we could come up with a repayment plan to which they said “no, it’s already been submitted”…in those 3 days since they notified me. Cheers.
So, a very stressed Something but hey ho, I’m off to a hen do at a spa tomorrow and if I have to have the massage and manicure to make me feel better, than dammit I will!

In DS news –since all I seem to talk about is myself--, he’s being an absolute treasure at the moment. I think we’ve come out the other side of WW and he’s lots of fun. He’s mastered the art of sitting still, requesting cuddles and kisses, and climbing on sofas and foot stools.
Hope all poorly babies are feeling better!

eco im sorry that was funny.

shattered im the same. It takes a lot of effort to decide what to wear and get ready but once you are there its fun.

We had a normal night of 2 wake ups last night. Was so good to get more than a couple of hours sleep.

Well done to the babies who are drinking out of cups/glasses. I tried and successfully failed. We ended up with a wet and choking baby.

We don't have any pointing but today ds learnt how to play a toy instead of putting it in his mouth or throwing it. Hes new game is to throw my sofa cushions on the floor and climbing over them. He also dances to his musical toys which is hilarious. Initially I was wondering what the hell he was doing waving his arms around then I realised. He has better rhythm than his dad.

The most important news is I have a massive and no im not exaggerating spider in my bedroom. Its ages away since dh will come home.

Eco oh dear. Minus ten perfect parent points I think

Something bstrds.

Stormy we have an intentional word. Mama means 'I'm really cross. I'd rather it didn't, but she is consistent with her mamas

Cups and glasses? Nope. To be fair I have never offered the opportunity, so perhaps I'm to blame there. To be honest all things food and drink are just f*king me off at the moment, so we're going at dd's pace. Which is slow.

Yummy spiders are nice. They eat flies. We have lots and they are all called Horace. That said we don't have any tarantulas. I don't think I'd call those Horace.

News on the worselet front, well she's did a pretty impressive nappy at 3am and upset herself greatly about it. Other than that, and the usual food refusal she seems largely ok. Lunch was a truely inspiring half slice of plain bread, a baby wotsit and some crumbled rusk. That's progress on yesterday.

Hi all,

I had a fab birthday thank you very much. We went to a lovely fancy foodie pub with rooms for dinner and stayed over, the meal was amazing, madam behaved thanks to judicious use to raisins and we had the inn, lounge with open fire and honesty bar all to ourselves so just left the door to our room open once we'd put madam to bed and went downstairs in our PJs and played cards and had drinks. DH bought me a very fancy capsule coffee machine thingy that makes a yummy latte and may just save me a fortune in costa!

Eco, hilarious story! Poor DD but definitely a good tale!

Something, they are indeed bastards. I think a letter from a lawyer would definitely show them you're serious and may show you if you have a case.

I'm glad all the babies seem to be getting back to normal. Not a good few weeks for the crew all in all!

Wors don't worry, we have exactly the same food situation, everything is gleefully swung to the floor. Crackerbreads with salted butter are the current staple food group with a side of yoghurt and raisins.

As for the water drinking, it is the one thing DD does well. Glasses, plastic adult bottles, free flow sippy cups are all good. However milk can only possibly come from a boob still. This may pose a problem with 13hr shifts coming up.

We're having a week of family fun here and I've just dragged DH to soft play and watched him monkey around on rope bridges. DD wasn't that impressed. Now off for coffee and cake while she snoozes.

Happy weekends all.

I lost you. Have found you again. Still ill or is it ill again? So fed up now.

Don't want to rain on parades (happy birthday Betty by the way ) so will just say hello and crawl off for pie and chips in my pjs.

Good evening and welcome to the weekend!

Shattered how was the party you crazy going out cat you? On a school night too!

Something you have kisses? Does that make your heart melt a bit? Ecobaby crawls onto my lap now and that's super cute.

Gerry how's the weight loss? I ask only because you asked us to bug you and I'm weighing up your progress before I decide a sponsor amount

Worse any more horrid nappies today or are things improving? Worselet beat Ecobaby in lunch stakes today. That's got to make you Worselet ate more than professional stuff your face baby! I'm thinking phases? So maybe the babies have swapped and you'll have trouble keeping the food supply up soon

Pud you can tell us all about it. pj's and pie sounds fab! I have mouth ulcer, cold, rashy face, period, dodgy tummy and right boob on edge of mastitis. Been massaging it and heating it all day. Lovely. Crocuses and snow drops in flower here so spring is on the way and these bugs can bugger off. Get better soon!

Yummy, tell us what happened with the spider! I'm with Worse. Like. But wouldn't handle. I'm a pint glass and envelope to the garden post of girl.

Betty that looks like a fab trip you had. Was that a treat from dh? Told you he was a keeper!

so as of now o'clock we have a totally clutter free house (just don't look in office or garage) because we had photos taken today. Three viewings tomorrow! eek! So for now there's no ghastly pink high chair, no jumperoo, no walkers, no nappies on airers, no very hungry caterpillar plates. All very grown up. It'll last ten minutes but it was nice whilst it lasted. After some research we found a nice small town we like in Bedfordshire, close to a mature reserve with ancient woodland, good transport links, most basic services you'd need. good schools. Today dh met someone at a meeting who pulled this face because is has some connection to travellers. Is that a bad thing? How can we find out more about the town? I guess I could start a thread asking 'who lives in xx tell me about it please!'. Just answered my own question! Ignore me!

Ecobaby has got the separation anxiety bad. Sigh. If I leave the room or her dad takes her from me for a cuddle she cries a lot. Poor dh. She really loves him and finds him hilarious so it's a bit all round. Other than ill that's all I've got in the way of news. I managed to get through the day without being mean to Ecobaby today unless you count holding her on my hip and lightly grazing her lovely little head as I leant into a cupboard So far from perfect parent it's

Eco really? The worselet won in the food stakes. I'm amazed. Although that said lunch was all she ate all day, so I'm thinking Gerry's suggestion that this is her 'thing' is spot on. I don't know why I'm surprised really as according to my mum I had eating days and non eating days as a kid, and still rate food as largely uninteresting. Like mother like daughter...

Travellers you say. Well, hmmm, given it is politically incorrect and socially unacceptable to say a word against them I won't. What I will do is give you a few facts and let you infer the rest. Since moving here I have twice had to politely tell some random strangers to p*55 right off and stop trying to break into our sheds. Our neighbours have had their heating oil stolen. The local farmer got so fed up with his sheep hurdles being stolen he has guard dogs in the yard.... and those are just a few examples.

I'm off now to keep pud company in misery corner. DH is a) doing the face because I'm on the internet, b) been an ar5e in telling me he's off on a stag weekend soon, leaving me to cope with a non-sleeping baby, two dogs and whatever.... and c) I appear to have contracted both the worselet's stomach upset and her cold. Huge sigh

Oooh can I pose the opposite side of the traveller coin? My dad grew up in a caravan (ahem, two static homes arranged in an H shape with a connecting verandah built by my g-pop, but I digress...). Lots of kids, animals, frozen windows and frightening chemical toilets - basically, abject poverty. The other kids at school labelled him a gypo (this was the 50s) and believed he ate squirrels and other vermin. By all accounts he and his brothers were minor menaces while they lived there, but I like to think of them as cheeky chappies. Any chance this is what your DH's colleague meant?

We're considering getting another cat. Tell me I'm mad, please?

I'm also wondering if I can convince nursery to use washable nappies. But for now I'm shattered, poorly, and off to Bed(fordshire).

And spiders are cool.

Spiders are indeed cool. So are all the travellers I've ever met/taught, but I know I'm lucky there as a place with a high traveller population does come with its own set of issues. I have to say though, for me it would come pretty low on my list of concerns. Isn't there a website where you can check crime rates in an area? That might help you get an idea. What's the high street like? I live in a village with a brilliant high street. It has some rough areas, but I'm convinced that is why the high street thrives.

Weight loss is great eco, I've lost 11 lb in the last 3 weeks (although about 5 of those we're Christmas pounds coming off as quickly as they went on). I now look completely ridiculous in most of my clothes though, and have no money for new ones. And no inclination either. 2st to go until skydive weight, about 4st I think until I feel good about my weight. So the first 2st has to go by end of June, and I want the second lot to be gone by this time next year. It's lovely now that people notice. I've lost 5in from my waist, 3 from my very stubborn bum, 3 from each thigh and 1 from each arm.

I'm having a career dilemma. 3 jobs have come up in the area. All full time, all big career steps. Not sure I want to be full time, but also not sure I want to be where I am now, and the only way out would probably be full time. I know the answer is apply and see how I feel BUT the application processes are quite lengthy so it would take a lot of my precious time if I decide I don't want to anyway. God when did life get so complicated. I think I'm just always going to have to wade through the ambition v. baby conflict.

I live not too far from the Dale Farm traveller site that was all over the news as it was costing £18m to evict them. Never had a massive problem with them but think that as they call
themselves 'travellers' then perhaps they should move around a bit more and there would be less hatred towards them. Also, was appalled when watching 'my big fat gypsy christening' to learn that they don't breastfeed their babies because it's 'wrong'

you ladies who have had whole family sick bugs how on earth do you cope with looking after your baby. Am sat comatose on sofa not being any fun and not having drunk anything so no milk to offer. This is the sucky side to having children eh? No sleep at all over night. Too old for this.

Now pud, that is a dampener for a Saturday morning!

Oh no eco - can anyone come and help? Someone with a strong stomach and high immunity??

Eco to be fair the only people who have any trouble round here are those who have heating oil tanks in their gardens, sheds with gardening tools, especially tractors, chainsaws etc and farmers with metal hurdles. I have had scary experiences with groups of men in the grounds, once 2 tried to steal the tractor when I left it for literally 2 minutes to fetch more petrol. The police told me they had probably been in the field next door watching, waiting for an opportunity. I am therefore not too fond of them. They aren't violent, and when I have confronted them they have simply left without threatening me.

To those with connections with the travelling community I'm only speaking of my own experience with those local to me. I don't want to cause offence.

Gerry That's fantastic! High five . On the career front I say go for it. Most places will flex to accommodate someone they really want.

Eco. Sympathy. It's hard. I have now been pretty much ill for a month with a series of bugs. So have DS and dh. It's rubbish. I'm bored of feeling crap, bored of feeling sorry for myself and bored of there being no energy left for anything. I keep thinking a bath might be nice but just cannot get ducks in a row re DS being looked after, there being hot water and me not rather trying a nap when gaps arise. Dh and I have mostly managed between us with my dm occasionally offering a couple of hours respite. However my dad is really not good at the moment so she has plenty on her own plate. It's also rubbish that I haven't dared visit him much as a chest infection could literally kill him right now.

Try to keep the decaf tea coming and know it will pass. I hope.

Hi all
well what a few weeks we have had ,
Christmas eve drove to Scotland , mini farmer teething which in itself was ok , Christmas eve night he developed a full blown cold thick green snot and horrid cough , then both his ears became infected. He wad then put on Anti Biotics. ...what a poor wee soul he was , but still he smiled and laughed amd played !
The night times for 3 weeks were hellish he was so stuffed up and sore ..... i Now know what it must be like to have baby that does not sleep ! I take my hat off to you lot .
I'm just so glad he was unwell when i was in Scotland as my parents were fab helping me .
Daddy farmer had to leave after 1 week to prepare for lambing .
Last Monday daddy farmer phoned me at 9.am .... i knew something was wrong , i was scared to answer the phone !! .... one of my horses had taken ill Arghhh I'm 300 miles away typical , he'd already called the vets who were on there way thank god i thought !
Mini farmer and i jumped in car and drove straight home , as what she had was serious and they can die very quickly , but thankfully daddy farmer had noticed Something was not quite right and acted fast I'm so glaf as had he not , my darling horse would not be here today . !
I then had a tummy bug and an extremly heavy period I'm shattered :-)
Mini farmer and horse are both doing well thank goodness .

i bought handles that attached to my tommee tippe bottles which are fab ad mini farmer has been drinking milk on his own since 5 ish months they also helped in the transition to cups .
Ps Mini farmer is walking everywhere with his walker i call him speedy now :-)

Wow what a few weeks Christi, glad the whole family (horses included obviously) are back in full health!

Gerry, great work on the weight loss. As for the job, could you go and meet with one of them and suss out the possibilities for part time or flexible work?

Eco, it's the most miserable thing. You need to keep sipping fluids no matter how sicky, try to take paracetamol if you've got a temp as that'll make you feel so so much worse, I breastfed DD little and often and offered snacks and water a lot but big meals were a no no and we all stayed in PJs and channeled bad parenting 101. I know TV isn't big in the House of Eco but now might be the time to introduce DD to it & snuggle up & try to do very little. I also had a lot of pillows everywhere so I could lie down wherever DD was. Good luck!

Hope you feel better eco. Have you got any
help to hand?

gerry well done on the weight. You can't
really have 4st to lose- I thought you said you
were near 11st now?! 11lb in 3 weeks is
awesome . I would like to lose a few pounds
(Flabby belly) but haven't managed it.

yummy you were right, I did enjoy the
party. It was only last night eco so not a
school night! I dressed up ( it was fancy dress)
Had a good time and stayed out past 10!
Also got some good sleep as DH was on
duty. Twas worth it .

Hope poorly mums and babies better soon.
It's horrible when you can't just tuck up in
bed until you feel better.

thanks all. fresh air, no sugar and no TV all out the window! Ecobaby and I have been under blanket on sofa watching grand designs and Charlie and Lola. She also stole a rich tea biscuit having said no to her lunch so I just let her get on with it. I wish someone could come and help but family too far away and I wouldn't wish to invite a friend into the germs! Needless to say we cancelled our viewings. Thought d and v not as attractive as fresh flowers and baking bread. What makes this all a massive deal is because I have long standing much treated (not successfully seemingly!) emetophobia. So a house full of v is one of worst nightmares. Am aware that most sane people think it's a nightmare I should add. Sorry for self centred post.

Oh no Eco. Is it d&v throughout the Eco household? Our strategy was just do whatever it takes to survive. If she's accepting food then keep it plain and small (digestive=perfect). Bf will help if you can manage it (tbf she may end up just comfort sucking), if not just water. Calpol. Cosleep if she needs the comfort - just make sure you have a cupboard full of clean bedlinen in preparation. Charlie and Lola is my favourite kids telly.

I hope you all feel better soon. It is miserable and you're allowed to whinge. We got over d&v much quicker than DS did, I don't think he ate for 3 or 4 days. When we reintroduced food we did the BRAT thing, seemed to work.

I'm laid up with enormous sinuses, unable to breathe properly. I'd quite like someone to bring me some chipolatas and mustard please. It's a shitty, stormy afternoon here. Bed is definitely the place to be.

Eco have you all got V? Eat and drink small and often for you and if you get waves of nausea lie still on your side and breathe in though your nose and out through your mouth slowly, that always helps me. Get DH to deal with top end of DD and you can do bottom end problems, make sure you've got some nice scented candles dotted around and windows open to keep the smells at bay. Emetophobia is crappy.

Hello fellow sicklies,

I feel for all with D and V - just the worst

I've been up since 3am, with restless achey legs and weird crazy dreams. Night time is not my friend lately!

I took Thursday off with a migraine and just feel a bit emotionally unbalanced at the moment, hoping stopping cerazette will help.

DS was sleeping through but I think maybe he gets out of sorts because his routine is slightly different depending on who's looking after him. Different meal sizes, different ways of getting him to nap etc. so after a couple of days with just him and me he'll stop waking at night but if its been him and OH or all of us he wakes loads. Anyone else have this problem?

Hope you all feel better soon, I'm going to get DS out of bed for morning cuddles

Oh eco I hope Charlie and Lola and Grand Designs fixed everything. I want to go for a walk in the lovely rain but DP is a bore so get better so that we can virtually go for a rainy hike!

leni DS is slightly off kilter after being at the childminder's as he becomes a bit restless through the night. I get him back to normal and BAM! He's back at CM's again.

I've developed a bugbear. I was on a hen do yesterday and they all asked "is dad babysitting then?" No! He's 'parenting'. Grrrr!

It's such a little thing, something, but it matters. Keep correcting them.

It does indeed matter. I get asked the same thing and have even once pointed out that dp might be a bit offended by being called a babysitter!

We have no plans here today, except cleaning. Meaning an entire weekend in the house with colds and misery! I wonder if I could persuade dp to go to nandos...