March '13 - packing up our troubles and getting excited about the new babies

[ecofreckle]

It's that time again. This thread is going to explode with squishy babies. Which is nice.

1st day at work today. I am exhausted and it's only Monday but it's all good so far. I will catch up on the thread when I am snuggled in bed if I don't fall asleep.

Stormy I think pat of our problem with trousers last summer was cloth nappies. Wotta and Bungle will tell you that getting trousers to fit over those suckers is tricky. And yes, H and M are long and skinny; Ecotod and I laugh when we see their trousers which appear to be made for bambi.

I am in a B and B in Norfolk ready for work tomorrow. I caught up with two sets of friends and had starter with one and dinner with t'other. Very civilized.

Bungle, you may not be able to use Geoffrey, or Rod or Freddie but Jane might be an option. Bunglette news cheered me hugely. You look second tri tastic in your latest fb profile picture you cool cat.

Shattered what class have you enrolled on? Are you slinging him? I never really got to grips with either of our slings and I'm a bit sad about that. I may have to have another baby to get the slingness out of my system.

Yummy you go girl! You are bringing home the bacon again. You sound weary. What were your new colleagues like?

Worse I saw my friend's 5 month old this evening (born same ish time as DS I think?) : wow! It's the maximum cute time isn't it? I remember it well; it's around when we took ecobaby to the states on her road trip. Are you cuted out your end too?

Gerry you have a small person in your tummy. Lovely pics on fb. How are you feeling post-scan?

I'd better skidaddle. This B and B is immaculate but has an overpowering smell of artificial air freshner. I find it nauseating. Is that normal? Bleurghhh. I have switched off the plug ins and it still bloody reeks. I wish there was a nose equivalent of ear plugs.

Yummy hope you settle quickly into the new role. Does sound knackering going back to FT after 2 years. Hope all is well.

Worse do tell us about the alert and not quite mobile baby cuteness. Yes!

Gerry my money is on girl. just a feeling. Anyone for a sweepstake? And you get another scan in a few weeks, no? Was dh glad with the decision to go private?

Eurgh air fresheners are migraine-inducing, sneeze-attack making pots of devil's piss. MIL is fond of a mulled spice one at Christmas time and has found me hanging my head out of a wide open window to get some relief. So no eco, definitely not just you!

Thanks for the compliment, although that picture was taken around 12 weeks! Feels a long time ago. I'm definitely more rotund now.

Ds seems much happier this morning and I'm torn whether to send him to nursery. He didn't eat much yesterday and looked miserable. Looks ok this morning and is being v cheeky but has a bad cough. Clinginess has gone. Hmm.

Next might suit Ecotod better. We've got some 2-3 leggings from there that I reckon I could fit two FPs in. It does seem odd though that clothes don't come in nappy and non nappy versions. Even disposables make a bum a fair bit together. Today we went for shorts that say up to 18m on them. Perfect fit, but now soggy and in the washing basket. Credit where it's due though, at least she got off my knee first.

How on earth did I get 'together' instead of 'bigger' there?

OMFG can someone come here and fan me? I've been trying to train ds up as Chief Fanner but he just wants to eat "pinepapple".

Useless.

Isn't fanning what DHs are for?

News from potty land: this kid was clearly listening and learning all those times I said, "No, darling, you stay here and watch the telly, Mummy likes to be on her own to poo." Yesterday had no wee accidents and two wees in the potty, both when she was alone. Also had a poo while wearing knickers, the sight of which had my brother in stitches. Today she's denied needing a wee and then wet knickers twice, but then when all adults were outside having a fag she went and took off everything necessary and sat down and tried to poo (and got quite cross that she couldn't).

We have stashed the new potty by the bathroom gate and are planning to basically leave her to it.

And in less cheerful news, Fartypants now has no living great grandparents.

Dh would be shit at fanning me. And he was at work, the git. No, ds will be brought up to be Chief Fanjo.

Speaking of, he's definitely going to nursery tomorrow. Partly because he's eaten a proper dinner, but mainly because he's driving me crazy.

Sorry to hear of your loss Stormy. Although it's lovely their lives did overlap, even if only for a short time. Having only ever met 2 of my GPs I always find it amazing that our dcs have met a GGP or two.

Urgh poo in knickers. I am not excited about that

MIL's mother so not my loss as such. She was a lovely woman though. Physically fit and in possession of all marbles right to the end, and she was in her eighties, so not a bad run really. I'm glad she got to mee Fartypants though, having a great granddaughter was obviously a source of great joy to her.

FP actually had two GGPs when she was born. The other, my dad's mum, had lost the plot and the ability to walk by then, and died when FP was three months old, so they never met. In fact, my mum's mum died in June too, though a few years earlier. June is clearly a perilous month in which to be a grandmother.

Perilous month for fish too. Number Three had to be flushed this morning. Number Two and Jim don't seem overly fussed, and FP hasn't even noticed.

And in other news, my maniacally cheerful Greek dentist is very happy with my brushing skills (yay!) but wants to attack me with a drill next week (boo!). Did well to get to thirty with no fillings though.

Oh, and I almost forgot: anyone want a copy of Evil Gina's potty book? It's that short I can basically remember it all, and my brother's just bought a copy that I can refer to if needed, so my copy's going spare.

Wow I have had a DAY. Last night was achievement evening. I cannot recommend being pregnant, on a stage, under lights, in a hall that is 28 degrees with300 parents watching you hand out certificates for an hour. But it was meant to be ok, dd and I were staying at mums, so my plan was to get back, she would already be in bed, id collapse in a heap and be pampered by the mothership. No such luck, she was still up when I got back, having been whipped into a frenzy of sweaty excitement by my sister and dad. Wouldn't go to sleep until 10, I was wired after my evening so couldn't sleep til midnight, then woke up at 5. Needless to say, my lessons today were not my best and the kids got the short end of my temper. It is TOO BLOODY HOT!!

Dd is lucky to still have a few ggps, including my wonderful gran who is now in a home, in the depths of dementia, but they are best friends, I think did is the only thing that makes her happy now.

Oh god. It does not sound like she is going to sleep up there. Not that I can blame her, her room is 29 degrees according to the monitor. This weather should really be illegal unless you're next to a pool.

My word, Gerry, I hope today has been calmer!

Today is another day off nursery for DS. Happily, he woke me at 5 (well, he was actually about to doze off in my bed then dh did a very loud trump and DS couldn't stop laughing!) and then fell back to sleep from 7-10. At least he's eaten actual food today, so that's a good sign.

I'm getting some essential jobs done before we go away on Saturday. Can anyone give me any tips on surviving a four hour journey with a 2 year old? My mind has gone blank. I'd like to pack tranquillisers but darn it, we're fresh out.

bungle I suggest the Julia Donaldson collection of stories with headphones or even on the car stereo if you've not heard them a hundred times before. And time it with his sleepy time. And don't offer hummus or frubes as car snacks

Yes time it with lunch then nap time plonk? Plus a break to run around and/or new toys? Good luck

eco just a post natal fitness class. Definitely no sling, although oddly enough there is a 'sling dance' class near me!! I'm not a massive fan or the sling as it doesn't do my back any favours but needs must when I have DS1 as well. My word I'm tired. !! You should only be up at this time if you're still out from the night before in my opinion. Did you have a nice time with your old friends? How's the pelvic floor these days- is the scary looking contraption doing it's job??

gerry sounds hard work. How are you feeling generally now ? Any better?
yummy how's work a few days in?
Right time to try and go back to sleep..

What sling are you using Shattered? It should be super comfy.

Sadly we won't be able to time the drive with nap time. Although this recent poorly spell has him all confused and tired at odd times. We need to get there for 2 ish, as my parents will be waiting to hand over keys etc. I'm thinking ipad + headphones and snacks.

We had a horrible screamy bedtime last night. He actually screamed until he was sick. I didn't know they actually did that.

Good plan bungle. They are screen obsessed at this age aren't they. Hope he's ok.
I have a bjorn. Do you have any other suggestions?

He seems to have lost part of his attention span but maybe if I load it up with games etc he'll be satisfied.

If I'm honest I'm really struggling with ds at the moment. He asks for something and when I get it for him it's "no don't want it, don't like it". Have found having him off nursery to be very draining.

Anyway, slings. I've never used a Bjorn but they have a reputation for causing hip issues in babies and back discomfort in the wearer. You shouldn't be having any discomfort wearing a young baby - I regularly carried ds on my back till he was 18 months. I have a Connecta that's suitable for small babies and v easy to wear if you'd like to borrow it?
It's this one

They are hard work at this age plonk. I find it hard to keep my temper in check sometimes with the endless whining . Then he does something very cute to make up for it. Has he just been off because he's poorly?
Is the hip thing true with the bjorn? that's no good. Do you find the connecta comfy and easy to use? If so and you don't mind then yes I would love to borrow it. Thanks

He's just been a handful this week and off his food which really exacerbates it. I think he feels rough enough to need Calpol but not rough enough to want to stay in and rest! It's dealing with the power struggles that I find most wearing.

Have PM'd you about the sling. The Bjorn makes them dangle from the crotch rather than supporting from knee to knee AFAIK, so puts strain on both of you.

Thanks hope DS better soon. I read a depressing thread about how hard three year olds are recently and thought Noo!! I was planning in it getting easier!!!

bungle what a horrible bedtime that must have been for all of you. Do you think it might be to do with the heat? Maybe he's finding it difficult to get comfortable; especially if he's teething or has a cough to begin with. DS has been waking up early this week with a horrible cough and I'm sure that combined with the heat would upset him too if he weren't neche like me! He's slept with his duvet on every night this week!! How?!

He woke up in a foul mood today. I assume because he wasn't ready to be awake, but he's now subdued with Mickey's Twice Upon A Christmas. We get into the spirit early in this house.

DP and I rescued a baby bird yesterday! It obviously couldn't fly yet but was in a bad position where it could get mauled by the dog so I spent the morning coaxing it somewhere safe, only to find it back under the dustbin when I left for work. When I came back 5 hours later, it was still there. So we put it in a box with some food in and moved it to a safe place, and now it's gone. And is nowhere around. I like to think it's off frolicking with its birdie friends telling tales of the nice couple who saved the day!

Today is my last day working part time so I'm off to buy a big tin of chocolates for all the kiddiewinks. Who are all very cross with me for leaving. I'll miss them lots to be honest so it's a bitter sweet day.

yummy come and tell me how full time is. I'm simultaneously excited and dreading it!

Endless whining: we are actually managing this quite well at the moment. The trick is don't get sucked in. If for eg they're whining because they want a biscuit, don't get into endless explanations of how they've already had one, it's teatime soon, etc. Explain once, and if they ask again, it's a firm no. Then go and do something else while they get over it. Fartypants at least runs out of steam pretty quickly. She's not inclined to scream until she's sick though - that could complicate things!

We found a baby bird yesterday too. Not sure which cat had got it, but it was messy, yet still alive. DBro dealt with it with a hammer while FP and I were going to nursery.

I think the heat may have been partially to blame but it was cooler last night. The problem at bedtime was that he was overtired. He woke at 5 yesterday but was asleep again from 7-10 am, so a nap wasn't an option. He also refused dinner (persisted in asking for ice lollies instead, which he didn't get). After I had cleared the pots away I gave him weetabix. He then wanted me to do his bath but DH was doing it. That began a screaming fit that lasted throughout bath time, nappying and nanights. We left him to it for ten minutes, but he started coughing so dh went back in with medicine. He screamed briefly for me then stuck his fingers in his gob and barfed all over the bed.

Excellent fun, as you can imagine.

Stormy it's not so much the whining as much as it is flat out refusal to work with me. I don't find withholding biscuits a trial unless he's very hungry anyway. What I find difficult is knowing that we need to go out (whether something needs doing or if I suspect he's bored and needs a run around in the fresh air) and he won't keep clothes on etc. This week the power struggles have been food based and the usual empowerment tactics (porridge or toast etc) just aren't working. He'll pick an option then throw it on the floor and hit me.

I actually think he might not be happy at nursery anymore. I just don't really know what to do and feel like a shit parent tbh.

I hope the baby birds are ok. Well one of them clearly isn't...but I hope the other is! Have a good last day something, make the most of it!

Ah yes, the sheer pigheaded obstinacy of the two year old! That one I have no cure for (though I have apologised to my parents for the hell me and my brother and our fifteen month age gap must have given them). It was frustration at the refusal to do as she's bloody told that prompted me to make a reward chart. It is called DD's Really GOOD sticker chart, and I drew fifteen rows of ten stars on it, and when she's really good she gets a sticker on a star. A completed row warrants a small treat, completing the whole chart will get her a big treat. It doesn't always help, but it's meant she's a bit more co-operative sometimes at least.

Something, how was the last day? I've been made cry this week several times by kids with cards and presents and thank yous. It's never really happened before, not sure if it's that the kids are getting nicer, or I'm getting better at teaching so they're more appreciative. Remind me what your new job is? When do you start? I missed all that apart from what I could figure out from FB.

My week did improve. Senior team are in a right old tizzy about me being pregnant, which is good for the old ego, especially as I've had to have a warning conversation with them along the lines of 'I might be signed off from 25 weeks by the way...'. The tiz has made them remove all of my exam classes next year and reduce my timetable right down to a)try to keep me at work for as long as possible and b)reduce the impact if I'm suddenly signed off with spd again. So my life should be pretty calm from September onwards.

Oh I had a sad conversation yesterday. Don't know if I've ever mentioned my oldest friend, who got married about a year ago. She's had to leave him. He's been depressed, since she's known him and she's tried so hard since they've been together to help him, but he refuses to get help and the relationship was becoming more and more destructive. Drugs, bringing home strangers he met at parties, emotional abuse. I think she's terrified of the idea of bringing children into that, and she just can't hack it anymore. So terribly sad to say, but I hope this really is it, and that it doesn't become a long drawn out process.

On a happier note, I've just got some of the comfiest jeans I've ever worn. Over the bump from next (and yes I do already need maternity ones, I can't bear anything tight round my middle at the moment!) I literally can't believe how comfy I am right now.

I seem to have the word 'again' at the end of my post. The layout of MN on my phone means that I can't get to it to delete it. So my post is going to end with the word again for no apparent reason...

again.