Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Post-natal clubs

Join our Postnatal Clubs forum to find parenting advice for newborns.

March 2013 - by the time we finish this one we'll be shopping for elf outfits. Eek!

996 replies

ecofreckle · 28/09/2014 14:04

Here we go again then ladies. Plenty more shiny new space to fill up with ramblings :-) Link to last thread

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
StormyBrid · 27/12/2014 12:14

For preventing night time chaos I recommend duct tape. Or manacles, perhaps. Seriously though, you lot are making me very thankful Fartypants hasn't figured out how to escape the cot yet. When she does, it'll br stairgate on the bedroom door.

Looks like we're stuck here for an extra night. Many snowy toddler photos taken. Will stick one on fb when (if?) we get home.

yummychocolate · 27/12/2014 13:42

Once a couple of months ago ds tried to climb over but has thankfully forgotten his new skill since then.

We are all ill in the yummy household. Our routines have gone to pot since dh is off work and we are all ill.

stormy and fellow northerners enjoy the snow. I want snow too.

worserevived · 27/12/2014 13:47

Stormy given she hasn't already started trying to climb out it is highly likely she never will. Most of my friends have older or even adult dcs now, and from what they've told me toddlers are either climbers or they are not. My neighbour has a dd and a ds. Her dd was happy to stay in the cot, and then happy to stay in a bed. Her son climbed out of both. It's a personality thing.

Alba switching to a toddler bed is unsettling, so my advice is do it sooner rather than later and get the difficult bit over and done with as soon as possible. There is no way of avoiding chaos, just averting disaster. Remove anything from ds's bedroom that he could really hurt himself on - drawers he could pull on his head, side lights, that kind of thing. Either stair gate the stairs or his bedroom door, or if you don't have stair gates, lock his door, so he can't fall down the stairs. Put a mattress on the floor by the side of the bed just in case he climbs over the bed rails. Use an intercom so you know when he is up and about. Accept that for a good few nights he probably won't self settle if he wakes, he'll get up and try and find you.

Third night in a row of no sleep. Literally none. Not the toddle this time, acid reflux. I think I've reached the rather depressing point where babax is just too big for my small frame, and his butt is on my stomach. Been here before with the toddle, so at least I know what to expect. No sleep at all for the last month, and a huge sigh of relief when I hit the supposedly awful newborn days Grin. Ah well, it'll all be worth it in the end, but right now what I need is a vertical cat nap.

worserevived · 27/12/2014 14:24

Yummy oh no! Get well soon. I guess at least with it being xmas and all, you can stay in bed and just recover without having to worry about work.

Plonky your poor MIL. Do you know her well enough to have a quiet word? She doesn't have to stay. The fear of the unknown has a lot to answer for, and too many people stay because they are scared. It's never as bleak as it seems though, especially when you weigh it up against 20 plus more years of living with someone who calls you a stupid ugly bastard.

littledonkeysaurus · 27/12/2014 15:24

Alba yep I second Worse, if you've got a climber you have to make it as safe as possible for them, and deal with a few broken nights. We haven't pressed on with the toddler bed since our move for a few reasons - the bedroom doors don't close properly, and the stair gate hasn't gone on his room yet because we haven't had time. As he's not a climber we decided to just put the side on the cot and try again when he's older.

Worse ahh at least the due dates not far. I remember that last stage well! You poor love. But how awesome is it going to be to finally meet Babax?!
I do know MIL well enough to understand where she's coming from, but not to pose the idea you suggest. It's a fine line. She's almost left him many times in the past, and I believe she's resigned herself to a retirement of companionship. FIL is, on the whole, a kind man, but he doesn't appreciate her. She gave up work 29 years ago to have her children and so much of her identity is tied into that that she would be worse off for a split, not to mention skint. It's tough. The atmosphere isn't as thick as cheese anymore but this is clearly one of those Christmases that will go down in history.

Ds hasn't napped and is causing mayhem. Thankfully there is Christmas chocolate to soothe my woes and heal my earache. Bit worried about the snow back home - Stormy are we likely to get stranded and die?

StormyBrid · 27/12/2014 15:43

Snow and ice warnings from the met office. The man's just been chatting to one of the yokels locals, who's been out in a car today and says the roads are treacherous as hell. Sort of wishing we'd tried this morning, because we're expecting sub zero temperatures and so lots of ice. Motorways are probably okay - snow stopped in the night and they should have had the gritters out. Remind me where you're travelling from, Plonk - northwest, was it?

SomethingBeginningWith · 27/12/2014 15:57

Just a quick one before I reply properly to say, we've all been out in the snow on the roads today and it's not as bad as people think. As long as you drive slowly and carefully, you'll be fine Grin

StormyBrid · 27/12/2014 16:15

I know MIL will drive carefully (especially with Fartypants in the car). It's other drivers that are worrying her. And it is bloody cold and the sun's just set, so all the slush on the road is going to freeze over. It's awkward - can't set off too early because the sun needs chance to melt things, but can't set off too late or it'll be dark and icy again for MIL's return journey. More than seven hours of daylight would help!

On the toddle front, we've had a good day. Nap failed due to poo, but she let me read the Saturday Grauniad in its entirety. And speech wise she's had another leap forward. Stringing a lot more words together, answering questions, saying and signing "yes please" when offered things. And she's just had her very first cat scratch and didn't cry at all!

littledonkeysaurus · 27/12/2014 16:55

Ah we'll just wing it then. Coming from North Wales Stormy, so no motorways but hopefully the gritters have been on the a50 today. We're setting off at lunchtime tomorrow.

Ds is being, for want of a better word, a little shit. Too much chocolate and no nap thanks to the telly blaring at 80 gajillion decibels all the live long day courtesy of FIL. anyone else finding that extended family are v. good at working the toddles up, plying them with cock bitches, and generally over stimulating them, then absolving themselves of any responsibility at nap time? This plus poo explosion plus strung out over tired poor behaviour, and not feeling so hot today = incredibly grumpy Plonky. I may feign headache soon after dinner and withdraw upstairs with my kindle.

I'll moan a lot less once I'm home, I promise!

StormyBrid · 27/12/2014 19:00

Fingers crossed for a smooth journey, Plonk. I think being elsewhere doesn't help with behaviour - at home DS knows what to expect and there's a limit to the chaos he can create in a baby proofed home. And when you're elsewhere, maybe this is just me, but I feel sort of in the spotlight if I tell DD no or whatever. I'm not comfortable using my Very Cross Voice in front of MIL, which is unfortunate because it usually works a treat when she's playing up. And at home with established routines it's easier because you know there's only another half hour to get through and then it's bath and bed, which makes it easier to keep your cool when the child's severely trying your patience.

BettysFestiveFrolics · 27/12/2014 20:57

I know it's mostly inconvenient for everyone but I have snow envy!!!

Worse it sounds shit. Have you considered asking your GP for lansoprazole/omeprazole and tiltinf your mattress? Any help?

Stormy I hope you all have a safe journey!

Yummy yet another illness is crap! I hope it's short lived and you've all been cuddles up on the sofa with Paw Patrol and biscuits!

Plonky, retreating with a kindle is definitely the way to go!

I've decided tonight's the night to get pissed and leave the monitor with DM/DF so I'm current enjoying an amaretto sour after copious amounts of gin and a baileys. I may regret this at some point!!!

SomethingBeginningWith · 27/12/2014 21:11

betty you may have snow envy (and rightly so, it's VERY fun) but I am envious of your night. I'm currently sitting up with a wide awake DS because every time he lies down, he coughs and splutters so much that he can't sleep. We may have snuggled up to watch Harry Potter and share some Ben and Jerry's Blush we it's still Christmas, dang nabbit.

yummy I hope you've had a very relaxed day and that you all feel a little better.

Tomorrow is our first day in a few days that it'll just be the three of us so I'm looking forward to a calm day, and considering that the toddle is still pottering round, I hope we get a lie in!

StormyBrid · 27/12/2014 21:49

How did he cope with HP, Something? I thought it'd be a tad scary, so DD went to bed right after Charity Burbage got et by Nagini. Need to reread them all now, but I have neither the books with me, nor thirty six hours free.

Have a drink for all of us, Betty! Hope the hangover isn't too diabolical.

WottaMess · 27/12/2014 23:05

Hope anyone travelling in the white stuff has boring and uneventful time! Grin

SomethingBeginningWith · 27/12/2014 23:43

stormy DS has had Harry Potter drilled into him since he was a few weeks old so he's cool with it you may notice from my Facebook that I'm a little bit HP obsessed Blush he's seen all 7 films more in his 21 months than most people ever have. I can see how it could be scary but he's never shown that he's fazed. I keep telling DP off for shooting aliens in front of him but man-eating snakes is cool Wink

SomethingBeginningWith · 28/12/2014 09:51

After not going to sleep until 10pm but still waking up before 8am, my child is eating a hearty breakfast of raisins and carrots. Who's toddler has he been swapped with?!

StormyBrid · 28/12/2014 13:31

Not mine, she won't touch carrots. Actually, I tell a lie, she did ask for them on Christmas Day. And then proceeded to throw them at the cat.

We are home, warming up (must leave heating on next time), wondering where to stash all the new toys (annexe next door?). And wishing my brother had changed the cat litter on Friday as instructed.

worserevived · 28/12/2014 22:33

Glad you made it home safe Stormy. Plonky home too? Crossing my fingers you aren't stuck in a drift somewhere. As for me, I do not have snow envy. I do have snow chains though. Bought when I was expecting the toddle and the forecast was predicting snow. I'm hoping we won't need them this time round either!

We've had the best day ever today, as 1. last night I actually slept. For a whole 5 hours!! It was bliss. It was also unexpected as I didn't do anything different so I assume that 3 days and nights without sleep is what it takes for your body to just give up and get on with it. 2. The ILs were here for lunch, and it's always lovely when they visit and not just because MIL insists on doing all the ironing. So that's it in a nutshell really, all smiles.

Tomorrow may be less of a treat. The HV is paying me a visit. Apparently you still have to have a pre-birth HV visit, even if you are having your second child. Why? What exactly is the point? Everything they have to say they have told me before. Pointless waste of resources imo.

Betty thanks for the reflux deflection tips. I'm kind of doing them all already though - have seen the GP, sleep with 4 pillows practically sitting up, and am really careful about what I eat. Nothing time and a big push won't cure though so I'm stoical Grin.

littledonkeysaurus · 29/12/2014 07:22

Yep we're all present and correct Worse, thank you. We returned from snowless Wales to find almost four inches of snow on our road, and our wheelie bin frozen shut. Ridiculous if you ask me, definitely worth considering moving to warmer climes.

I didn't know HV visits during pregnancy were normal! I don't think I know anyone who's had to endure HV idiocy prior to popping out a sprog. Although realising you're quite close to the big showdown has me all excited for you. yesterday I found myself eyeing up the space on my side of the bed and wondering if we'd need to rearrange our room to accommodate a crib (we won't!) and I blame you Grin

Something carrots for breakfast? Is he doing South Beach for new year and getting a head start?

Ds wins the prize for happily watching the least appropriate film without flinching. We all watched Jurassic Park on Christmas Eve, and the bit where the t-Rex puts the car in the tree (the bit that had me wailing as a 7 year old)? He just looked up and said "rawr". He has now taken to attacking all his toy cars and trains with his toy dinosaurs. Of course the MN perspective is probably that I'm a truly awful toxic parent whose kids will go nc at 16 and end up in counselling.

I have to go back to the old house again today because I'm a drip and forgot to empty and clean the fridge. Slightly irritating but as dh and I were both given colds for Christmas it's probably best I leave him to it. Because it is the worst illness to befall anyone ever and he'll simply expire if he tries to exert himself even a little bit. Worse you can shush about your popped eardrum, dh has a cold.

worserevived · 29/12/2014 13:04

Oh I don't know Plonky. What if DH doesn't have a cold? What if it is man-flu? That can be serious. He could be laid up for weeks. You can't be too careful you know.... Grin.

So am I the only one who has to suffer a pre-delivery HV visit then? That's soooo unfair. Utter waste of money I'm telling you. It took two of them half an hour to come run through a standard questionnaire to see if anything had changed since their last visit, and ask me all sorts of questions. Stuff like 'do you drink or take illegal substances?' (err no, but if I did would I tell you Confused???). 'Are you physically and mentally well?' (I was... although I can feel my sanity leaving me with every question on your list). That kind of thing. Although apparently the 8 week immunisations now include a rotovirus one, so that was useful info I guess. Two people though? What a waste of council money Hmm

Really really frosty here today, but bright, and clear, and well kind of lovely really. That and the obligatory turkey stew has made me feel quite old fashioned xmassy. Anyone else getting sick of xmas food though? I've just binned a dozen mince pies. No one likes them. DH bought them (I am unsure on his logic for doing so and haven't liked to ask). His mum brought us a second cake, and no one really likes that either! I can't even give it to the dogs as grapes/raisins could kill them, and that wouldn't be very festive. Such a waste.

Plonkysaurus · 29/12/2014 15:36

Worse dh is huffing about downstairs as he keeps an eye on ds. So that I can get on with sorting out our spare room as DH's buddy is coming to stay the night. So clearly he's at deaths door. Didn't make it to the old house but we did trudge through the snow to buy ale, and I shall be enjoying a Bishops Finger for my woes.

Two HVs to a second time mum with no history of abuse, substance or other, really does sound like a complete and utter waste of time. I could understand if dd was neglected, or if you were ultra panicky and scared. But she isn't and you're not! Clearly these LAs have money to burn Hmm

Thoroughly sick of Christmas fodder here, and we didn't even have that much. I had a mince pie earlier and I can safely say it's the last of the year! I'm looking ahead to resolutions though, and my new running tights are silently judging me. Those skinny legged bastards.

yummychocolate · 29/12/2014 21:46

We didn't buy any mince pies or Christmas cake but lots of pringles and chocolate fingers.

worse I had a pregnancy visit but my borough seems to be the only one in London that does it. My pregnant friends in other parts of London didn't get a visit and I was very worried someone made a referral about me but the hv assured me it was normal procedure. Grin

plonky and stormy glad you got back home safe and sound. It is soooo cold in London so we may have snow soon.

wotta are you enjoying your holidays? Hope you have been able to stay away from work.

something we are on season 3 of Lost and I am either on the edge of my seat or hiding behind a cushion.

Plonkysaurus · 29/12/2014 22:24

Yummy come out from behind your cushion! Season 4 is like a giant action movie and season 5 is just woah. That shits about to get real. Or...even more strange...

ecofreckle · 30/12/2014 07:44

Morning all and am pleased to see you all safely back. How lovely your toddles got a dose of magic Christmas snow to play in. Loving your photos on Facebook.

We're also back home with no snow en route, it is very chilly though with perma frosty puddles or 'ice puddles' as ecotod calls them (no fun at all apparently). Dh is off all week so we're headed to wimpole estate today for a nice long walk and some hot coffee (which ecotod is enjoying making in her own kitchen). We've been inundated with gifts but I'm sure in many households it's even more bonkers. We've had to rearrange our space to accommodate it and our boardgames have been mostly relegated to the loft as a result. We still have most non family gifts to open and we're planning our own turkey fest Christmas day tomorrow with lovely food, plenty of fresh air, games, music and present unwrapping. And then more of the same on new years day I hope, minus gifts. We then have house guests arriving (2 adults, a 3 year old and a dog) into our teeny tiny abode for some festive frolics so we're extending the celebrations.

I'm also working through a self help programme for emetophobia so it's all going on and I'm hopeful of having a positive start to the year. It's quite challenging.

Worse I do hope you are getting a bit more rest now with less of that heartburn nonsense. I applaud your resolve and tenacity. You're nearly through now wonder woman

OP posts:
StormyBrid · 30/12/2014 08:52

Good morning all. Today I bring you a fabulous new comedy pronunciation just in time for the new year.

"Round cracker," DD asks.
"Would you like a round cracker?" I ask.
"Yes please," she says, so I hand her one. She takes a nibble, then snaps it in half. "Oh dear. Oh bugger. Mummy fix?"

She doesn't mean oh bugger, she means broken. But every time she says it wrong I crack up, which is probably not helping.