August 2005 - The One With All The Birthdays!!!

[kate100]

Here we are everyone, a new thread, as promised ready for all these little ones to turn one.

Here's the link to the old thread

Miaou, I was just thinking of doing the exact same thing the other day, so much better than a baby book, as it really does record all of the milestones as they happen.

Another milestone today, ds2's first visit to the dentist. He was ever so good he let the dentist look at his teeth, which his brother never did. In fact the dentist got his first look at ds1's teeth ever today and it was his fourth visit!

We're all set for his birthday tomorrow, but I'm tired, it's hard work having 2 birthdays in a week and DH is thirty 2 weeks today, TOO MANY BIRTHDAYS!!!!! We're having friends round for an afternoon barbecue (DH will be getting in touch with his inner caveman over an open fire ) and people are dropping in as and when. Just hope that his cake is OK when it's delivered tonight.

Let you all know how things went after the party.

sorry, Miaou didnt take my ds anywhere - preg brain - should have read: Miaou - I took my ds ... will shut up now {{scuttles off}}

LOL Pookey!

Congratulations Miaou! Been thinking of you. Had a proper talk with dh about dc no2. Now would be lovely, but would like at least 22 yr gap so need to hold off a while. Dh's job only secure till end Dec, though has an interview with council on Tues, (got letter fri, he left for Spain this morning so such short notice won't make it, hope a phone call will help...) and want to be not pg for dh's cousin's wedding in March. However dh is insistent on buying our own lorry next year, then all the worry of being on my own so much and financial strain etc kicks in, then I think damn it! We'll just do it! But the seriousness of the chat albeit 5 mins (well that's all it takes really!) made me quite giddy with excitement. Being the 2nd, as much as no1 (well pg no5 for me) is exciting, it's such a nice thought as there's no "unknown". Quite excitied...

Ds is just about running everywhere. Or at least walking constantly, back and fore, round and round. He doesn't seems to stop! He now says "maa" (going up at the end) in an almost annoying way, pointing at whatever he wants, and will not even attempt to say please, up, or anything similar! When he got his MMR the hv did her checks and showed me an old book sje uses, at certain stages there's things the dcs are expected to be doing and for 15 months there were things like; should have 6 words, stumbles and falls when walking but lands well, can kneel down, emotionally labile (new one to me, she put it he could be up one minute and down the next, ever changing) self feeding but not able to keep eg yogurt on a spoon, but say chicken on a fork and to the mouth works well, interested in books, understands commands and can carry them out well. I found it all very interesting and ds was pretty much spot on. Guess that explains our affectionate los! Ds has suddenly shown a huge interest in books- only a few eeks ago I would struggle to get through 3 pages before he would walk off; this afternoon he brought me 4 in a row and we read the lot!

I was on a 3 day business course last week (prep) and ds went to my Auntie's for 2 days, then dh was home for the 3rd. Ds was fine! I thought he'd be a bit concerned the 2nd day as he would know what was coming, but no! I have only left him for 1 day before, back in June. He even waved goodbye to me on the Friday!

Josey, sorry for your news. We had a visit form a friend last week, to say she was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a mastectomy and started chemo all while we were away but she is just fine, amazing. She will prob lose her hair this week, had it cut in prep. She is quite an inspiration.

We bought ds the Little People zoo for Christmas, Azure. I've already had it out of the packaging and played with the bits myself! I quite like it! Ds is also getting a trolley and plastic food (toddler group favourite), tool case, trampoline from pil and I'm now considering the Little People Bus as it's only £12.99 and he really loves his garage. But may have to hold back. Already getting carried away...

As for the tree, when mil asked what kind we were going to get this year, I answered "one which can be suspended from the ceiling" oh oh oh I have no idea what to expect!

Have a good week everyone, hope you're a little warmer than we are!

Congratulations, Miaou. I'm so happy for you.

I'm having my first days without the children ever. As some of you know MIL is in the last stages of cancer, so DH has been living with her. He has a hard time with being cooped up, so we've switched for a few days, and I'm with her now, and he's got the kids at home. (She's about 50 miles away from our house) It is oddly quiet. I kind miss them a bit, but it is nice so far.

Caitlin. Wow. She's something else. We call her ostrich, because when she gets mad she throws a tantrum, and puts her head on the ground, and looks exactly like an ostrich burying her head in the sand. She is very affectionate, though, and has got quite a sense of humor now. She definitely knows how to let you know what she wants. And she's finally growing some hair, so there's hope she won't be a completely bald 2 year old.

Well ssince you are all being brave I'll put my tree up as well then - but might not decorate the lower branches!

Ds has been so affectionate lately, giving big kisses and cuddles ALL the time, it's lovely! And has definitly got a keen sense of humour.

But as for the 6 words, not at all, he says 'do' as in dog, and thats about it, although he chatters away all the time.

We are all poorly again in this house, in fact can't remember a time when all 3 of us were completely healthy!

No way can DS2 say 6 words, but I remember DS1 being the same and it certainly hasn't held him back. DS2 also likes books, especially the lift-the-flaps type. DS2 hasn't had a check-up since he was about 6 months and I still haven't had a letter about the MMR. Unfortunately the clinic is on Tuesday lunchtimes, which is about as inconvenient as it could get for a working mum.

C&CsMommy it must be a very difficult time for you and your husband - my thoughts are with you.

I didn't realise there was a Little People bus - hmm, may have to investigate.

Re Christmas trees I've just remembered that when DS1 was the same age we bought an articifial tree for the first and only time (we threw it away afterwards as it was only a cheap one and at the time we lived in a flat with limited storage space). I couldn't face the needles everyone. I think I may have to grin and bear it this year (and keep the vacuum cleaner handy).

WOW CONGRATULATIONS Miaou No 4 you are brave dh husband keeps mentioning no4 to me but I am not the slightest bit broody yet!

Ds2 has been poorly for just over a week but is back to his naughty little self again. He loves to switch the tv on and off whilst ds1 & dd are watching their programmes and of course all hell breaks loose. He isnt saying alot but we have a few words and he can say 'GET DOWN' very clearly! He climbs up and over anything that presents a challenge especially the dinning room table!

Not really sure what to get ds2 as he loves to play with ds1s toys I quite like the Happy Street garage and space ship in ELC. We have some of the little people animals and ds1 loves them.

Thinking of you c&csmommy and you josey!

Thought today, hope I haven't concerned anyone re the development stages I mentioned, I just thought it was interesting. I didn't think I may have come across as competitive, I believe where a child can lack in one area he will probably make up for it and excel in another. I hope you understand what I mean, I really didn't think about how it would come across.

Here's the little people bus, Azure.

sorry to hear about your mil C&C

lol bramblina a 22 yr gap are you sure thats so lovely that you and dh talked about ttc and you felt excited - bet you dont last till March!!!

LOL LOL LOL Pookey! Ahem, no, was thinking more along the lines of 2!!! More discussions today with friend, think you may be right about not lasting! It's such a different sort of decision to the one we first made to actually start a family, adding to it is really different. Can't explain what I mean. Hope someone knows!

Bramblina, it's interesting to hear about the "standard" development stages and your comments certainly didn't come across badly or competitive. FWIW I think DS2 is a classic "early walker late talker". He still hasn't had his first haircut, which is amazing considering I have really thick hair. Thanks for the link to the bus - you know what, it's almost identical to one my sister bought DS1 back from the States 4 years ago, which DS2 absolutely loves. I didn't realise that was Little People. Congrats on the decision to have #2 BTW.

Bramblina...i know what you mean about adding to the family. i really do want ds to have a sibling but just can't contemplate it yet. i'm very concious that i spend all my time with ds and i think i need to wait until he is at nursery and away from me a bit before i think about doing something which will mean he isn't getting all the attention!
and actually i love him so much i feel like it would be betraying him to have another child.....it feels weird to say that but its how i feel.
ds has a revolting cold....Monday night he hardly slept because he couldn't breathe properly, so dp and i are shattered!

My curiosity was getting the better of me so I went searching for Tigerlion- she had a baby girl, Eloise on 22nd Oct, I think she was 8lb6oz! Congratulations Tigerlion, where ever you are!

Azure, I agree with you about the early walking etc- but I think my ds is the opposite! He didn't really properly walk till 14 months. Surely they can only practice improving one thing at a time? It all makes sense. However my ds had his 7th haircut on Friday! And someone just said to me yesterday he looks like he needs another one! It's a bit of a shame really as it makes him look so much older than others the same age, like I've lost my baby early IYSWIM!
Didn't realise how definite I sounded about no2! I did, didn't I? Don't like the coil much anyway, may as well have it out! Actually it's probably better I've got one as we'll have to make a proper decision to have it taken out as opposed to just stopping the pill one morning. But I see your point too QR. And this afternoon I had the most awful headache and very quickly felt sick...brought back all the memories of morning sickness and I thought, how will I get through a whole week alone? I was very tired with ds pg, too, and wonder how difficult it will be. Hmmm unless of course dh gets the job and is home...

Ahem. Defo thinking far too much!

Congratulations Tigerlion - what lovely news and what a lovely name.
Thanks to bramblina for the news .

Definitly agree to the early walker, late talker theory. Describes ds to a tee.

Definitly been thinking about ttc another baby. But keep yoyoing, one minute I think about how lovely it would be, and then I think about all those sleepless nights again!

Hi folks. Lovely to hear about Tigerlion

I know - I must be mad! Particularly as I am only a few weeks pg and m/s has reared its ugly head already .

Ds is walking (well, staggering) and crawling, about 50/50 now. He gets overexcited and tries to go too fast though, then falls over! His balance is not great but he is getting there. His talking is coming along apace too - so he is disproving your theories and developing both at the same time

Congrats Tigerlion!

DS doesn't have 6 words. Or certainly not 6 that we recognise . He's been walking confidently for a few months now though. So I'll go with that theory . I have heard from numerous people that boys are often a bit later to talk. Some of my friends little ones have been close to 2 before talking but have sort of skipped the words stage and gone straight to sentences. It is one area that I was a bit paranoid about (since DS excels in everything else ) but my HV has told me that as long as he is understanding me and making sounds then that's just fine for another few months yet.

Bramblina I know exactly what you mean about planning number 2. It's something that keeps hitting me every now and then that DS will no longer have my full attention in another few months. Although we really did want a small age gap and I know he'll get over it, it's still hard to think that he'll feel left out or upset or think his mummy doesn't want him . Probably hormones making me overthink the situation though!

Great to hear about Tigerlion - congratulations. With regard to having a #2 I have a 4 year age difference between my two (through lack of luck rather than planning) and DS1 still has moments when he feels left out, so it's an unfortunate reality whatever age gap you might have. Suzi2 once #2 is born it won't be long before your DS forgets he was ever an only child! To others wondering when to try for #2 I would just say you never know how long it's going to take - conceiving quickly etc first time round doesn't mean it will happen next time. Of course you might be successful first month of trying, so just ignore me and my bitter experience (note: age wasn't on my side) .

I had kind of figured that he would feel a bit put out regardless of age Azure. At least his memory isn't so good at this age so he'll forget .

Regarding TTC time... we had planned for a couple of years gap figuring it would take 6 months min to concieve and it happened 2nd month of not really trying very hard! On the other hand, my friend has a 3 yr old after one contraception failure but has now been trying for a 2nd for 18 months and nothing has happened. It's all been checked out and nothing is 'wrong' as such. Just that nature is being difficult!

Thats my worry too Azure, it took 4 years to conceives ds. Keep thinking we ought to start now in case we have similiar problems. (I'm 32 - so not a spring chicken, but still some time, but not if we encounter problems).

But then think what if, against all odds, we conceive straight away!

Oh it's a tricky one!

suzi, I have 17m between dd1 and dd2 and can honestly say that dd1 never sussed that she had to "share" me - she was too interested in the new "toy" I had brought home! It helped that feeding time for dd2 became storytime for dd1, so she really looked forward to it . There will be a 23m gap between ds and no. 4 so I am hoping for a repeat performance

Hi all - I think there is supposed to be something in the fact that if there is a gap of less than two years the first hasnt become to accustomed to having the parents undivided attention - but whenever I read threads about gaps people seem to sing the praises of a 3 year gap so go figure! Know exactly what you mean Bramblina as the fact i have read threads on age gaps shows!

DS is doing really well with copying words probably a new one each day but he doesnt really use words to any purpose for instance he doesnt call out mummy if he wants me. His favourite word is biscuit . Hi is a late walker (still needs support and can only stand for seconds) but both his mobility and speach have come on astronomically in the last week!

hi all
dd still not walking discovered the other day that she could let go and stand for a few seconds before her knees wobble so she is being quite cocky now!!she has alot of words and trys to hold conversations with you which is really sweet, if you say is that right she nods and says Yeah!
we had to take the kids to say there goodbyes to there great granny yesterday it was really sad, she had little gifts for them to remember her by,DS nearly 7 said unprompted im going to miss you granny and she told him that she would always be with him in the sky and he could talk to her there there wasnt a dry eye in the house after that-kids are always so much better at these things than we give them credit for.
on you all talking about age gaps i think that it probably is harder to have a long gap i remember having problems with my younger cousin there is 7 years between us and she couldnt understand why we had the same gran, she hated me for this so i can see why the sooner they are used to sharing mummy the better, ds is just coming round to the idea of sharing me as well!!

Congratulations Tigerlion.

Congratulations Miaou, you are all making me feel broody with this talk of more babies.

Sorry that you are having such a difficult time C&Cmommy and Josey.

There are 2 years and 2 days between my boys and there has only been occasional jealousy, they're just starting to play together nicely and seem to really like each other. It was hard work to begin with though, 2 in nappies was tough.

DS2 isn't really talking, but is making a wider variety of noises. DS1 didn't start talking until after christmas so I'm expecting similar from DS2. He doesn't really need to talk though, I always know what he wants pointing can get you a long way.

He's really steady on his feet now and is starting to run, usually to keep up with his brother. We went to Center Parcs last week and he had a great time running around in the forest, chasing ducks and swimming in the pool.

I can't believe it's Christmas 4 weeks today!! Where has the time gone? We're definitely having a tree, where else will Santa leave the toys? We'll have it in the conservatory so that the ds's can't get hold of it. DS2 is having a trike for Christmas, I'm sure he won't be able to ride it for ages, but it's got a handle for me t push and a seatbelt to hold him on until he gets the hang of it.

Dh didn't get the job.. He isn't too bothered but I was!
Ds is so, so ill. He refused lunch on sunday, and got croaky and a cold that night, was up at 4am and was sick twice. He got a temperature on Monday and very unhappy, then was sick more on Tues and Wed, and I realised he's also cutting 2 bottom pre-molars, one each side. He couldn't even keep down his water this morning and just as I got very worried he ate half a bowl of porridge! He had some carrots and mango at dinner time and has kept it all down, along with half a bottle of milk. He's still very bunged up an has a cough sounding like he's on 40 fags a day but on the mend. Poor wee soul has hardly complained though.

Can I ask how are all the ds doing with self feeding with a spoon or fork? Ds can occasionally stab an item with a fork so usually I help him get it on and from there he's fine. But there's no way he could manage a yogurt on a spoon or similar! Is this average?

Bramblina, that sounds a lot like ds. He has a go, but not much food goes in at all!

Your poor little ds. Bless him. Is he any better? Fingers crossed he has turned a corner now he's started to eat again.

I'm feeling really peeved off, my sister has rung me, and just told me she won't have ds anymore while I'm at work, as he's too much work for her
Now have to find a new cm by next week!!!!!! [Very stressed emotocon]

ds is feeding himself very well off a spoon, don't know if this is down to the fact that right from the start he's had his own spoon at all meals and has made a right mess of himself.
lovely!
am about to get him his own fork as he has a spork thing but it's a bit rubbery, and he keeps trying to steal our forks. he's still not eating a very wide range of stuff.....he seems to love mashed potato, broccoli and his fruit.
sorry to hear about the job Bramblina.....we are very poor at the moment and dp is very down. i think christmas is giving him mixed feelings, looking forward to ds enjoying it more this year but sad that he can't spoil us as much as he would like to. the New Year will see some very strict budgeting in this house......