March '13 - The One With The Babax

[Plonkysaurus]

New thread , and I can assure you all, it'll be a corker.

It's not been that long Plonky, just over a week. The main issue is the combination of being so unwell and all the drugs dried my milk up really fast. What is interesting in an academic way is now the fevers have stopped my milk has returned to normal consistency. When my body was flat out flighting the infection it was like water.

Rainbow I was hoping you'd be on, thank you. Really helpful. I'd no idea oatmeal Is beneficial. I love oatmeal! Could live off the stuff plus peanut butter

Big today. I am going to leave the house. Finally got a scan to check for retained products. Looking forward to that even less than normal post stitches!

Glad you're feeling better, worse. Enjoy the great outdoors today.

Plonk it sounds like your potty experience was the same as mine. Try again in a few months?

Haven't got much else to say today. The words "Huntington's disease" keep popping into my brain. It's not fun.

Stormy (((())))) Wish there was something I could say to help.

Today the toddle met a lamb at nursery. She is absolutely beside herself with excitement about it. I do love that nursery, as conjuring up a lamb for the afternoon is something I am unlikely to achieve myself.

Well there is one good thing: if I do have that dodgy gene, can still have more kids - they can test for it at eleven weeks, or use IVF to weed it out. Useful info for Fartypants in the future.

I am so glad I had her before finding out precisely what my mother has, otherwise she might not be here.

Hello (I just can't seem to post without a salutation....I know it's not the done thing).

How was your scan Worse? It's great that you're feeling better and well enough to dabble into milk research. I have no advice but know people have started to breastfeed after longer gaps than yours. As rainbow says Kellymom is a great place for info. I'm guessing because you mentioned your milk consistency you've been pumping anyhow? Are you solo again? That seems too soon after your illness really....

Plonky my theory about your knockers is that the skin is stretching and that's what's making them itch. It can't go on expanding forever so fingers crossed it ceases soon. When is your dating scan?

And shattered how was the end of work? Anti climax? I remember vividly the first day of my maternity leave. I got up, made a massive bacon sandwich and sat down and made a massive list. It felt great

Betty are you still away? I bet you're a bronzed beauty now. Was it fun? Can't recall if I said, but was pleased to hear about you and dh being in a good place again.

Wotta any house joy? Our bigger Norfolk house is on market and we've had no joy yet either. I just want rid of it. I'm so ready to move on now. Hoping the lovely weather bring all the buyers out of the woodwork.

Stormy it's tough your end eh? I was on auto pilot when I had the angiogram to see whether I had an aneurysm in my brain like my mum. I hadn't thought through the consequences of finding out at all. I think it's good that you're considering it carefully. Have you come to a decision yet? I'd err on side of finding out myself I think. But we're all different

Something. Something! What is all this about a 6am belly blitz? You nutter I am a hypocrite right there though as I've signed up to a half marathon in October so had my first training run today.

Yummy, you must be edging closer to finishing work yourself. What's on your wish list for that first week you're not working? Fun times.

Who else? Any! How the devil are you our favourite Essex girl? Your girl is so so lovely. Lucky you being able to capture such lovely images, just like plonk too. Good skills!

I'm very into all the election chat at present. I diligently worked through my vote for policies questions and came out as a three way mix of red, yellow and green. Not wildly helpful but as I hadn't read all five main parties manifestos I learned lots about their respective priorities. Some made me and I am keen that Ecotod sees me taking my place in our democracy from an early age. Five million haven't registered to vote. I don't want my girl being one of those in 16 years time. Apologies for the irrelevant minor rant. I shall return to things toddle.

She had her first day at pre school last week. She was happy to go in and got stuck in straight away. I should be happy with that but instead I'm angsting about whether she has a secure attachment to me! The fuss they make when they initially go to new places is supposedly a sign that they have a good secure bond with you. Ha ha, never satisfied!

Eco half marathon training eh? Good stuff! I'd say your tod settled in well because she has a strong attachment to you. Our kids can also now comprehend that we come back after leaving them.

My personal politics also come out as a blend of green, red and yellow. If we had pr I'd vote green in a heartbeat but it feels like a waste in fptp. Decisions! DH is a dyed in the wool tory so we've had some, er, interesting chats. but I agree, it's important to model this to our kids and make sure they grow up with a stake in the world they live in.

The dating scan is next Tuesday. So exciting! Dsis has another reassurance scan on the same day, so we'll be swapping notes. And then the shopping can start! Feel well prepared this time, we even have our list of names

Worse I can't remember love, did you have your scan? How does it feel to go solo?

I'm on holiday today so meeting a friend for lunch and treating my new enormoboobs to a new bra. The grass seed that I carefully sewed (with needle and string) is finally growing so hopefully the back yard with look like a lawn soon and not like the Somme.

eco I think secure attachment is supposed to have the opposite effect and foster independence so sounds like you have no worries on that front!

Eco scan was good news , not retained products just a nasty infection, which given the number of sweeps they gave me before attacking my waters with a crochet hook isn't exactly surprising. The antibiotics have nuked it, so finally, after 10 weeks I am not bleeding!!! Yay. Only niggle, there's a big ovarian cyst to be removed. I'm parking that for now. It can wait.

Milks coming back, I'm up to about 60% of what Babax needs. I have pumped all the way through, but initially just small amounts to avoid getting mastisis. As the doctor put it 'you don't want that on top of everything else'. Now I'm trying to pump the full amount whenever I get time. It's getting time. How on earth do you pump when you are busy with children? Not solo yet, my mum is still here, but I'll admit yesterday was probably more than I could manage. Even half an hour of toddle time exhausts me. Babax is easy. You know how we all thought we had it tough first time round at the small baby stage? We had no clue. Small babies are easy. Tough is toddles, combined with small babies. Meal times and bed times become an exercise in crisis management.

Did someone say half marathon ? I am so jealous I could spit... only I'm naicely brought up, so I can't spit just think about it! Enjoy!

Plonky good luck with the scan. Will you be finding out the sex later on? If it's a girl I have a whole load of little dresses and stuff, hardly worn, with no home. PM me if you want them.

Inspired by eco...Salutations!!

Speaking of eco wowee! A half marathon. Is it in aid of anything, raising money for anything? Or just because you want and can? How exciting and terrifying Just running would destroy me, so I've signed up for a colour blast dash and an "extreme muddy mud run". Hence the two 6am Belly Blitzs and one run so far this week. 6am by choice is no more fun than not by choice.

And as for ecotod, she seems like an adventurous little thing so she was probably excited to run head first into something new and fun, knowing full well that you'll be there when she's finished

worse good news on the scan and good news on the milk, but not good news on the cyst. But as long as it's not going to give you any trouble or damage, then just take it as easy as you can with two small people until you can get it sorted.

betty are you a bronzed beach goddess now? I'm not at all jealous while I sit here lathering myself in fake tan

wotta how are your nails looking? Do you have your own gel kit?

plonk I can't believe it's only your first scan. I feel like you've been pregnant FOREVER. Can't wait to see little Bungle though.

shattered how are you feeling? I feel like you've been pregnant for less time than Plonk. I'm sure you don't feel that way

DP and I discovered The Range and are now focused on all things wedding stationery. We've also got our photographer coming over next week to discuss what we want and has offered us a free pre-wedding shoot with DS so we can have a slideshow at the wedding It's nice to keep doing small bits and bobs until we get right into the thick of it.

And DS is SO MUCH FUN right now. We got him a trampoline at the weekend and now every morning starts with "mummy outside bounce jump". A full on meltdown follows if I dare to suggest he eats breakfast first.

2.30am and I'm up... not to feed Babax (he's sleeping sounding), or chat to the Toddle (she is sleeping soundly too)... but to cough, and cough and cough. I am so sick of coughing. Doesn't matter how well you feel after this rotten illness, until you've cleared your lungs you keep coughing. Cough. Cough. Cough cough cough. Argghhhhhh .

Something exciting! What's The Range though? I have an image of a Scottish grouse moor but I'm thinking it's not that. I can second the So MUCH FUN thing. Aren't they just? It's a lovely age. The Toddle is hilarious. When she gets sick of one person's company, and a second walks into the room, she announces 'bye bye (person 1, usually Mama)' and pushes them away, followed by 'hello (person 2, usually Dada)' grabbing their hand. This is rather clever as person 2 is instantly flattered into giving her attention, and person 1 sensing freedom legs it for half an hour and a cup of tea

DH has now appreciated that I am not going to be firing on all cylinders by next week, so is taking the Toddle up to the hotel with him. OMG.... exactly how scared should I be? He's renting a holiday cottage as the idea of a Toddle in a hotel room, without all the paraphernalia Toddles seem to need is just too much. I envisage a week of much fun, no rules, absolutely no routine, matted hair and a lot of cheese on toast. She will not want to come home.

Mum's off home at the end of next week, but she's been a star. For someone not particularly comfortable around small babies she has picked up a huge amount of slack with Babax. As she said, if I hadn't got ill she'd never have got to really know him as photos only tell you so much, but she will be glad to hand him over to me and escape back to her mountain life style and pool next week! Dad's hyper gene has worn off on her. She's pacing the house and garden like a cooped tiger. I actually think she would like to go for a long run!

Plonky your baby climbing wall picture cracked me up. I won't show it too my dad. He'd probably buy her one. Dad's theory is you are never too young to start climbing. I have an early memory of hiking in the Alps, and scaling 'Le cheminee' at the top of the mountain. Everyone else was in hiking boots and roped. My sister and I were probably about 6 and 8 and in sandals. Every second French man who passed made a scathing comment about it. Once we got to the top Dad made a 'funny' joke about it being dangerous on the rocks if the cloud came in as they'd get slippery. Naturally the cloud came in. I spent the next half an hour sitting outside the mountain refuge hut crying, watching the cloud roll in, convinced we would all die, while dad and my sister sat inside raiding the chocolate supplies and chatting to other climbers. You have to love the 70s. Can you image the MN comments if you did that to a child now???!!!

It was a different time Worse. sounds like a fun if slightly terrifying ascent. And I'm deducing, by your presence here, that you're not still stuck up the mountain . Probably around a similar time my mum was bringing my sister home from the hospital. loose in the moses basket in the foot well of Dad's aerial van. Thank god some busy bodies invented health and safety.

And thank you for the lovely offer of the dresses. I Would certainly take them off your hands if we are expecting a Bunglette. so pleased you get a week to yourself with Babax. What a lovely prospect! Hope thecoughing has eased off some by then.

Wotta your nails look great! I too am a serial nail chipper so have nail envy.

something it's great when you really get into the swing of the wedding planning and can actually enjoy it. I'm amazed dp is joining in too!
Ds would like to come and play on the 'trampopine' again soon. And I completely agree that they are so much fun at this age. I'm more exhausted at the end of a day than he is!! It's as if you can actually see their little brains whirring away.

Eco we had a nursery drop off fail yesterday. First one in about 6 months , he was just clinging to me and wouldn't let go. Very heartmelty but I couldn't help but wonder...

Hmm the toaster is calling me. I must eat everything, all the time.

worse your dh will be back home with worselet by the 2nd day. but this will give you the chance to sit on the sofa all day sniffing babax.

something wedding planning is fun and stressful. I love that you can be creative.

plonky I think ds having a wobble at nursery is just a phase. We had the same thing just before ds turned 2. My friend experienced the same with her ds. So based on my study I conclude it is normal part of development for them to experience separation anxiety around this age. How was the scan? Or is it today?

eco your beautiful dd has had enough of your company and wants play with the real kids. Only joking. I would say she is confident and knows you will be back for her. You have done a great job.

stormy how are you feeling? You seemed a bit down when you posted last.

shattered how are you and bump? Are you glowing? Are you enjoying your mat leave.

wotta I am jealous of your nails. Mine are short and ugly. How is the house hunting?

betty I bet you are lovely and tanned. How was your holiday?

I have to confess ds bedtimes are totally messed up. Partly because ds had illnesses as well as my laziness and going out in the evenings. I aimed for 8pm bedtime but failed. It took an hour to settle him but he fell asleep without his dummy. I am hoping for better results tonight.

I wish I could say ds is so much fun. He has been hard work the past week. Everything I tell him is no, he ignores me, tantrums galore and he hits other kids. We are definitely in the terrible two's territory.

yummy that sounds familiar. Someone asked me the other day how FP is doing. "Grand," I said on autopilot, before correcting myself: "Actually she's being a right stroppy little bugger at the moment." It's just two year olds being two year olds. It will pass!

We're having bedtime troubles too. No problem on no nap days. On nap days it's taking her two hours to stop playing and go to sleep. I'm going to miss naps.

And yes, I am a bit down. More than a bit. The future is looking very bleak right now.

I am indeed back from my holiday, lovely and tanned and hit with a whacking great dose of reality! DH is away this week so it's solo toddle duty and she's a mixture of gorgeous, funny and a complete horror. Bedtime has become a battle ground because my DM/DF let her sleep in their big bed because she cried! Last night was her first night with a duvet though after sleeping bag refusal and it needed doing at some point so hopefully that's a step in the right direction.

My main aim for the next few days is getting this house into some sort of order because it's a complete tip. It's dirty and ridiculously messy and really needs a lot more storage sorting out. I can see a trip to Ikea in my immediate future.

Worse I'm glad DH has copped on to the fact you can't do everything all the time and I'm sure DD will have a ball in the lakes but toddlers love a bit of routine so she'll be glad to be back too! How goes the foray into pumping etc?

Stormy, I'm so sorry it's so shit at the moment. Is there a firm diagnosis now then or is it just still the anticipation of it? How are your DF and DB dealing with it all?

Eco fantastic news on the half marathon, doing something where you can be just you is necessary when life is taken over by others so much of the time! I wish I could run but I've tried and failed many times. I'll always be a team sports and swimming kinda girl I think!

I'm sure there was something someone asked me but I'm really sorry I can't remember what the hell it was now!

Welcome back, Betty! Well jealous, a holiday in the sun sounds lovely. And good luck with the duvet transition. The one time we tried no sleeping bag, it rapidly became apparent that the bag was a cue for sleep time.

We're still waiting on blood test results for an official diagnosis. My mum's dad died of it ten years before said test became available and he was never diagnosed, so the "any family history of HD?" question got a no, otherwise they'd have tested for it years ago. It's later onset in my family than some, and the chorea isn't particularly severe, but otherwise it's a perfect symptom match. We're just in limbo waiting for Mum's results.

Welcome back Betty. Sounds like you had a lovely time and it's back to earth with a bump! Don't fret over the transition to duvet. I think having ds in our bed now and then meant he was used to it already and barely batted an eyelid when we removed the sleeping bag. I think I remember you saying dd sometimes joins you early morning? You'll be rate.

Yummy I don't even think it was a phase, probably just a momentary blip. He was fine at drop off this morning. And yep ds is completely exhausting too. Don't worry about ds's behaviour, he's only 2 and still learning what is appropriate.

Stormy I'll just offer you a big fat cuddle because I'm not sure what to say and it sounds like you need one.

I'm beyond shattered today. Snot faced tears for no reason, zero energy or motivation. Actually laid in bed for nearly six hours after dropping ds off this morning, only rising to eat. I've been home all day and haven't lifted a finger even though it really needs doing. Obviously need to get a grip!

Plonky you don't need a grip. You just need a rest. Pregnant with a toddler is exhausting. I should know. Pregnant with a baby isn't exactly a walk in the park, but it is an improvement. Shattered if you're out there, it gets better!

Betty welcome back. Sounds like you had a lovely time. Holidays always mess up bedtimes regardless of where the toddles sleep. Took me months to get the toddle back on track after our last trip away. That trip was last summer and we haven't been anywhere since. The two are connected!

Stormy I'm so sorry. (((Hugs))). I wish there was something useful I could say.

Interesting afternoon here, as in a moment of madness I claimed to be well enough to manage Babax by myself all afternoon so everyone else could go out. He screamed. For hours. He didn't nap after his lunchtime feed... or his mid afternoon feed... in fact he didn't nap at all between 11.30am and 6pm. So he screamed. My mum has him now, but I have just heard another scream which suggests to me that after a half hour power nap he has woken hungry. I'd like to bath him first though, if the toddle ever gets out of the bath! DHs should not be allowed to do bath time. At least mine shouldn't. She's in there longer than Cleopatra in her asses milk .

Hi ladies
Lots to catch up on! worse good to know it gets better. I'm holding you to that...plonk the pregnancy eating has slowed down a bit, but only because my stomach is squashed. I was aghast at my weight gain recently. Ugh. Keep thinking I'll post that promised bump picture then backing out!! Ha.
stormy hope you get the results you want. Sorry for you all if you don't.
betty sounds like you had fun!! Hope the toddle is back on track soon - sure she will be.
something/eco I have been pregnant for Ever. Seriously. Feels like years. Am praying I don't go overdue, but then that makes me think of labour again...,,

worse sorry bit late on the advice front but I found a double pump more efficient when I was having feeding issues. I hired one as I already had a single one for normal use. You might be past needing that now though? Hope the babax sleeps tonight after his epic wakefulness this afternoon...
yummy how many days left? Are you counting down yet?
eco I am in turn jealous of your marathon. Given that I can't walk without pain that seems a long way off for me. I am So looking forward to being able to get out and exercise properly, not just swimming with a huge tummy!! I am trying to enjoy mat leave, it's definitely less restful with a toddle but I am enjoying not lugging myself to work!!!
Hope everyone well!!

worse maybe babax had trapped wind? Formula can do that to babies. That is if you are still mix feeding and not fully back to breast milk.

Yummy I think you were probably right. We eventually got him to sleep about 9.30pm after an impressive ricochet of farts and an explosive nappy. Nice. Poor little mite was so exhausted he completely missed his evening bottle and slept until 2.30am, an impressive 8.5hrs from his last feed . Pity the toddle had me up half the night instead!

A double pump you say Shattered, that does sound handy. I've at least another 5 days to pump and dump before I'm drug free. Legit drug free I hasten to add before anyone gets any ideas.

Swimming with a bump sounds wonderful. I seem to time things to suffer the worst of it in winter when our pool is closed, which is patently rubbish.

Anyone remember the saga of the leaking conservatory? Well today, finally the floor tiles went down. Tomorrow is grout, and the next we can use it a mere 18 months after we started it. I cannot be wait. Until DH fills it with cr*p it will be a safe toddle proof zone. Somewhere I can close the door on her but still see her if I need to keep her safe while i do something else. Yay!

Tomorrow DH and the toddle leave for the frozen north. He is thinking about taking his dad. The enormity of sole parenting must have finally hit him

How long do you get to look after Babax on your own then Worse? Are you looking forward to it?

Oh tiny baby tummy pains are no fun. The poor wee things. I also used a double pump when I couldn't bear ds's monster latch, it was a massive hospital grade one that I rented off the nct. Worth looking into?

shattered I hope it's not too much longer for you, the end is really rather miserable and you must by now be desperate to meet your new dc. You've reminded me though that I do need to get a new swim cossie, so thank you

As for eating I've decided my nausea had subsided sufficiently for me to start making better choices. I'm still determined not to gain nearly half my body weight this time!

We're off car shopping today. DH's requires £2500 to bring it up to scratch so we're cutting our losses and going to look at some sensible family cars...The word volvo had been mentioned...

Happy Saturday everyone

Just a quick one to tell Plonk that FP has increased her wench vocabulary. Keeps saying 'tis instead of it is. Very cute.

Worse I have a double swing pump if you're interested. Double pumping saved my sanity.

Medela swing that is!

Plonky

volvo

Wotta thank you! Yes, I'd be interested. PM me.