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.

That's a list and a half Worse, no wonder you struggle to feed everyone. Would he eat summery stews like coq au reisling or spring piggy? Jack Monroes second book might provide some inspiration, will check when I'm not stuck under the toddle.

Shattered bless you love, sounds like it's a bit of a battle to get plenty of milk into the boy. An hour for a bottle we found with ds that nothing but Mam bottles were good enough. that was an expensive trial period.

I do hope we're not consigned to a double buggy. Id never fit it in my car although one of our buggies does allow for a tandem seat so wouldn't be struggling with an enormous tank thing.

I'm completely shattered. Four miles walked around a monkey forest near Stoke (who knew that was there!) and accompanying lakes and gardens. Highly recommend it if anyone's passing through and needs to entertain a toddle or two. We had a very healthy lunch of sausages and chips and ice cream, and tomorrow I feel I ought to go and buy a very big tin of tiger food to complete the story. But I have work tomorrow never will.

Worse I think I might actually be your DH. I'm a 'retired' veggie and so eat chicken, processed meat and white fish and the very occasional medium fillet steak! I can stomach beef and pork if it's shredded or pulled because that seems to rid it of the dense 'meaty' texture so BBQ pulled pork and slow cooked chilli can be had. DH would happily have meat and 2 veg every day but we tend to have a lot of pasta dishes, slow cooked chicken or veg curries and casseroles and if he's having meat or fish I have a veggie option and the same sides.

DH has got a huge exam at the end of this week so is off all week to revise but I'm on nights all week starting tonight so DM/DF are coming up to watch madam but probably won't make for a revision-friendly atmosphere! He's off down south on wed anyway and the exam is thur/fri.

Shattered I remember the hour long feeds, they're killers. Have you got a kindle or iPad or something to pass the time and keep you awake?

Plonky I love the new hair! I've got hair envy although I'm pretty sure I wouldn't pull it off. I've not had a hair cut for 6 months and it shows. Really need to get that sorted!

Shattered dd was like that. She took an age over her milk, and rejected every bottle we tried until we found Dr Browns. She was equally painful to wean. Now she eats pretty much everything, nicely, without making a mess, and is a complete dream. Here's hoping ds is heading for an equally easy finale on the food front.

Plonky I reckon you'll be ok with a buggy board and a sling, as ds will be that bit older when bungle arrives.

Thank you for the menu ideas. Stew type casserole things are always good, they just take a bit of time to prepare, so we don't have them often. That should change though as Babax settles into a routine. He's pretty good already if I'm honest. The toddle was a complete velcro baby, so not having to wear him in a sling all day is quite a novelty!

Betty I hope dh knuckles down and sails through. Good luck surviving his revision period!

shattered I remember mn keeping me entertained when I was feeding ds. It is especially lonely in the middle of the night when its quiet and dark. By the time I fed ds, winded him, changed his nappy it was time to do it all again.

worse all I can advise is to cook soups but it's not really soup weather so I am not being helpful. Dh always has to have meat with his meal so I work my meals around this.

plonky I love your new hairstyle. It suits you. I bet your head feels so light now.

betty sounds like a busy week for you all. Good luck to your dh in his exams.

Dh is back at work tomorrow boooo. It's so nice to spend two days in a row as a family I wish there were more bank holidays.

worse stew type dishes are my go to dishes if I have a busy day ahead or have visitors coming over. You can prepare overnight or in the morning and just put it in the oven. Just reheat when it comes to dinner time. I remember ds as a baby was a bit of handful in the afternoons and I found it difficult to cook. I think they called it the witching hour, so I used to cook in the morning and not worry about dinner. However, time is even more limited with a baby AND a toddler to look after so I completely understand.

Worse that sounds like a trying visit to doc but hurrah for human people reaching out to assist you. I saw a man grappling with a tantrum in town and I so wanted to say something in solidarity but kept quiet. If casseroles are common ground have you tried the mn favourite a slow cooker? Mine is very helpful to me. I don't mind cooking at 8 am whilst everyone has some
patience and
perk but I can do without at five ish (the witching hour can
still raise its head).

Shattered you must be worn out. Has dh gone back to work yet? The night feeds.....yes.....brings back some memories. It's not as easy as roll over, pop baby on and
roll back five minutes later is it? Still, it is only temporary, keep going, you're doing great!

Plonky we like tiger food too. Have you a penchant for the Mog books too? If so check out the length of Debbie's skirt and tell me what you think

Yummy it may be the end of your whole family time but at least it's not you going back to work tomorrow

Betty, focus on the four days you have left. It's not great to wish your life away but some instances call for it. How will you find the visitors? Will it be helpful and a pleasure? Hoping so.

Stormy are you still suffering an epic birthday hangover? Are you 30 now? Feeling just the same as 29?

I've had a mixed bag weekend. 24 hours back in Norfolk catching up with friends and trying not to be sad about what our tenants have (not) done to our garden. Then dh went away to some VERY IMPORTANT FOOTBALL. But we've had a day all together today which included entertaining his family for lunch and plenty of crafty business. Work tomorrow again. Seems to have whizzed past. Am contemplating running away to the beach next weekend to camp for a night. Bonkers?

eco what is it that they had (not) done to the garden? It really was such a sticking point between us and the old landlord to the extent that they sought legal advice. Hope it's a bit easier than that for you!

We love Mog. well, I do. We have Forgetful Mog which is a bit long for DS most days. He's in love with our cat so in real two year old fashion he has a full on love affair with all cats, no matter how mangey or how often they crap in our garden. Debbie wears a very short skirt! We're currently watching Mad Men and have found the same with the little girl in that. Oh how things change.

Yummy family time is so nice isn't it? Although dh briefly moaned yesterday that he is working today, I felt like saying he's welcome to stay at home while I go off to work. Silly really as we're both working today

Yeah Stormy are you about? Let us know you're ok duck.

Worse buggy board is number one on my shopping list. Ds already enjoys hopping in and out of his buggy so it should be straightforward.

Betty our DHs are they same kind of carnivore. I find it tiresome always having to plan around meat or fish, as I was veggie for several years too. May take an approach I read on MN: if you don't like what I cook then please take the trouble to food plan, shop and cook instead. Suddenly those veg curries and risottos might be very palatable.

Thanks for hair compliments! I love it and actually think more needs to come off.

We've finally discovered the secrets to getting a full 12 hours overnight. I suspect we're rather behind the curve on discovering that a full day of running around in the fresh air with only a 30 minute nap and some stick-to-your-ribs food equals good sleep.

Still here, just not much to say. Thirty's the beginning of the end, isn't it? I'm uncomfortably aware that I peaked at twenty seven and it's all downhill from here. Today's to do list involves ringing the doctor and asking if I should be worried about purple toes.

We have had a breakthrough with food though. That stomach bug seemed a good excuse to stop the bottle of milk at bedtime and naptime. She's developed an appetite since then. Weetabix with raisins and bananas followed by toast for breakfast and she's even eating the crusts. Still not great at lunches, but teatime the past few days has been incredible. I bought a big tub of strawberry ice cream, and told her if she eats all her tea she can have ice cream. She still gets bored by flavours quickly, but this is solved by leaving the main course in front of her when serving up ice cream. She'll have a bit from the bowl then a bit from the plate, then a bit from the bowl, then a bit more from the plate. Last night was pasta. She ate all the pasta, then started on the remaining sauce, which she has never deigned to even try before. It's bizarre, but awesome.

Well one has gone to nursery and the other has gone to work and I am sitting in front of the shops in Croydon waiting for them to open.

stormy come January I will be in your position but your scaring me. I used to think 30 was very old now I am 29 I think it's way too young. Well done on the food success. It's a relief when they have good food.

eco what happened to the garden?

plonky working from home is hard work! It's hard to get stuck into work when you know the washing basket is overflowing and there are toys scattered. It's soo much easier to close the door and go to work.

And that's why, when I win the euromillions, I'm going to have a house with walls. I can never leave the kitchen until the morning because the dirty pots are right there looking at me. Bloody open plan living. Still, it makes these tiny terraces seem a little bit bigger.

Tip for the washing basket though: don't fill it. Just chuck everything straight in the machine. Then you can't see it.

Stormy nice to hear from you. I think our houses are similar. It bloody drives me nuts. We have a doll buggy, scooter, bike, doll bed and garage that do not have a home anywhere and free range around our one space. Shall we start a syndicate?

The garden folks is a shameful mess. It was pristine when I let it to them. I understand that it is unreasonable to expect tenants to keep it like that. However, the mess I found is unacceptable. I had booked to spend a couple of hours tidying up. I took one look and went again. Two hours wouldn't have touched it. There are brambles choking all the trees and wooden garden furniture for example. The grass except a hastily mown strip through the middle to the summer house was eighteen inches tall. I couldn't get around the back of the summer house because it was choked with rubbish and brambles. They keep the house immaculate. But I still hate them a bit now I have spoken with our letting agent today and words will be had. At the end of their tenancy they have to present me with a garden in the same condition as in the check in video. Good luck with that. I know you guys think I'm being precious and that if you're a landlord you need to accept these things. I just don't like accepting it! Especially as one of the choked and struggling trees is a Norfolk apple tree mum bought us not long before she died. I'm going to dig it up when I go back next time.

I'm planning to annexe next door. One mad old cat lady can't need a whole house to herself, surely? There's more space in FP's room now though, I went on a cleaning and furniture rearrangement spree. Plenty of floor space to fill up with junk now that I've squeezed the old futon into my room and stacked her chests of drawers.

I can understand your horror at the garden state, eco, but it is just one of the chances you take when renting a place out. Not everyone has the time, the skills, or the inclination.

Eco I understand your frustration, and don't think you're being petty. Just a quick thought, if you want to put the wind up them a bit you could offer to pay for a gardener to come once or twice a month to keep on top of the big jobs like pruning brambles. Of course this would be reflected in an increase in rent.

When we were battling over the garden we eventually compromised but agreeing to prune rose bushes and keep the trees back from the path, but their beef was with the overgrown hedge and ivy in the house. As this requires ladders and saws we refused on H&S grounds, I was pregnant, dh v asthmatic (hence seeking legal advice) and they paid a gardener.

Absolutely dig up your apple tree if it will survive in a planter.

What a pain eco. I'd be miffed too. I guess it feels a bit personal as it's your hard work gone to waste?
Yes 2 hours for the first overnight BF, 1 hour for the expressed bottle DH gives. Felt pleased last night when it was only 1.5 hours...then he was up again 30 minutes later starving! it will get better....
plonk DS loves our buggy board. 6 months is a big difference in age too, your DS might be happy to walk everywhere by then ..??!
Trapped under a sleeping baby need to her better at putting him down..!!

We have an open plan too. It has plus points.. Ideal when watching over ds in the living room whilst cooking but not good when guests are coming for dinner and the sink is piled high with dishes.

eco Remove everything of sentimental value from the house and garden. Plonky's suggestion of a gardener is a good one.

Dinner guests? What are they? I've only got three chairs at the kitchen table. One half of said table is the Primary Dumping Ground (miscellaneous; large). If anyone were to invite themselves over for food they'd be eating it off Fartypants's pirate table.

This house isn't as bad as the last one for openness. Last house had all the downstairs walls taken out, with the front door opening straight into the living room, kitchen counters forming a sort of room divider, and a little back hall and bathroom in the extension out the back. This house still has some walls left: the side of the stairs is walled, and the kitchen and living room are separated by a wall with a double width doorless doorway. At least the soundproofiness of this set-up isn't too bad. Can't hear FP from the living room unless she's screaming. Washing machine racket and inefficiency of heating are a ballache though.

Open plan - I reckon all the tv property porn has a lot to answer for. Every single programme someone recommends knocking down a wall or two. Houses were built with walls for a reason. Other than to hold then up! Privacy, noise control and keeping cooking smells somewhere other than in your hair. That said open plan is ok when you live by yourself. I spent 3 years in a one room studio. I actually quite liked it. It was so small the bed folded up into a cupboard, but it took about 20 mins to clean and tidy . Once I met DH though I had to move. His 6 foot plus frame kind of took up the entire living room.

In a good mood today as Mr Nice personal trainer man (who we still see around socially despite not paying him silly money to keep us fit) asked one of his surgeon clients about my wrecked stomach for me. Long story short I've got the name of a good surgeon locally who can sort me out. Google rates him highly. I'm feeling slightly less nervous about getting myself sliced open and stitched up again now.

There is a certain irony to surviving 2 pregnancies without so much as a stretch mark, only to end up with a scar running down your entire stomach! Good job Im too old for a bikini

Speaking of old. 30. Old? Are you guys insane? Believe me you will look back in 10 years time and realise that at 30 you still looked young, and beautiful, and had great figures, despite what you might think now. You will. Don't waste your 30s feeling old. Seriously. I mean it. Enjoy your youth otherwise when you are my age properly old, you'll regret it.

Great figure my bum. Have you seen the size of me? I managed to dip into the overweight section of the BMI chart just before getting upduffed, but I'm well up into obese now. And my hips are knackered (please god, don't let it be dad's arthritis), my circulatory system is creaking, and my brain is a mess. Frankly I can't really see how forty could be worse.

On the plus side, at least when I'm forty I won't have nappies to deal with!

I'm so pleased to have been able to get into a house with proper rooms and walls. The old place was open plan downstairs, and with rotting window frames and leaky patio doors. Yeuch.

After years of shit body confidence I can say I'm actually quite pleased with the one I've got. When I'm not filling it with smoke, beer and biscuits and keeping it inside a lot it's like a well oiled machine. I feel confident in saying that as I'm currently waiting to see my midwife, so in the surgery waiting room surrounded by actual old people. The surgery has recently ceased to give appointments (except antenatal etc) so you just have to sit and wait to see someone. As you can imagine, it's great fun.

But this body is great, if a bit itchy around the belly lately.

Yummy the secret to working from home is to set aside twenty minutes first thing to whizz round. Wash pots, put a load of washing on etc then stop, go into wherever you work and close the door on the rest of the house.

worse you're right. I wish I was as fat as when I first thought I was fat years ago. I'd give anything to look as bad as I thought I did because now I have that bastard c section pouch to get rid of. Thankfully, that's as problematic as I find my body at the moment so once I get into a routine of exercises to concentrate on toning up that area, I'll be happier. And then hopefully get pregnant again and mess it all up great news about the surgeon!

I think whatever age we are, we look back at our younger times and wished we'd realised how good we looked. This year I officially hit late 20s and, if it all goes down hill as stormy suggests, I'm gonna bloody enjoy the next few years

And my sister and my mum both changed nappies into their 40s. I suppose nappy changes only take up, in total, about 20-30 minutes of the day so it's not too much bother.

eco I totally understand why you're frustrated. I hope you can sort it out. When we were renting, we had a gorgeous garden that needed expertise and time that we didn't have, but the landlord didn't realise until after we'd moved in and tried to up the rent by £25 a month for her dad to come round and tend to it. But because she did that after we'd signed the contract, the letting agent paid the extra so that we didn't have to. Plus, her dad only came round about twice the whole 1.5 years we were there so I'm rather pleased we didn't pay! We did look after it though because we really loved it so it must be horrible to have someone not care.

I must say, I'm rather enjoying half-term. DS and I spent nearly all day playing outside yesterday. My bf and her nearly 8 month old DS came round, and it made me laugh how she had to monitor his every move to make sure he didn't climb something, roll somewhere, eat grass, touch something, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed sitting back and letting DS and the dog tire themselves out while she tired herself out

I finally finally finally have my new car! And it's fab. Just need to try and relax a bit now... Cannot believe how stressed I am. End of this week and 14 month work project ends. Thank f?£! For that!

wotta yipeee for the new car and your project finishing. Go and have a long drive to relieve the stress.

Ooh Wotta that must feel like such a treat, and with a long term project finishing too! Hopefully you can have a really nice relaxing weekend to top it off (don't they say good things come in threes?)

I'm currently trying to figure out wtf to do about work after Bungle is born. DS will obviously get his free nursery hours while I'm on mat leave, but it's looking like, financially at least, it doesn't make sense for me to go back to work until DS starts school and Bungle is almost two. Can I really hack that? Hmm. Add in the very real possibility that I'd be looking at getting a new job...and what jobs can you really do within school hours? I'm a bit worried about the prospect of being a SAHM for a bit. I'm rubbish at cleaning, and my patience for kids is quite short. And I like money.

I read a blog where the writer was a SAHM and she's also pregnant. She mentioned that in each pregnancy there was a 'holy fuck, I'm having a baby' moment. I think I'm having that moment.

Keep an eye on developments with the extended childcare thing that's due to come in 2017, Plonk. It won't affect DS, but whether and what free hours Bungle will qualify for is anyone's guess. As I understand it at the moment, the idea is to extend the 15 hours to 30 hours' childcare a week if both parents are in work. Look at that statement closely; it's weaselly as fuck. The existing 15 is NOT childcare, it's early years education. Fartypants qualified at two because we're a pilot area for offering the free hours to children of poor disadvantaged families at two, because there's evidence that early years education for such children can help close the gap in achievement that goes hand in hand with gaps in wealth. But those 15 hours are now being described as childcare, not education. And SAHPs don't need any childcare at all, because they're economically inactive and thus useless to the current governmental mindset. In short, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they end up making it 30 free hours if all adults in the household work - and that will no doubt tie in with Universal Credit so there'll be no going back part-time if you want those free hours - and nothing at all for children in families with a spare adult taking up valuable oxygen.

Excuse me while I go put this soapbox away...

I'd be more than happy to work 30 hours, or even full time, provided it was the right job. My main worry is surviving on just one salary in the mean time. It's a decent salary but we've committed ourselves to particular outgoings that we can't get out of - nor do we want to, those outgoings get us out of bed and into the office!

But I'd forgotten about the pre-election pledges on free nursery hours. That's an interesting one. It still probably means staying at home until DS is at school, but it provides more light at the end of the tunnel if it ever happens. I just know that I'd rather be working than not, and I don't particularly care whether the government describes free hours as childcare or education.

We had DS's parents evening last night and I was given his file to look over. I brought it home and pored over it for a good hour. Fascinating stuff! Everything in the 24-36 months column has been ticked off and qualified. To return to the above point, his nursery is currently described as an 'early years childcare provider' yet every tick sheet asks not only about emotional, social and physical development, self care, motor skills etc, but also numeracy and literacy. Given he was 7 months when I put him in this setting, I think the lines between childcare and education have been blurred for some time.

I'll get off my soapbox too now!