September 2006 babies - smiles all round!

[clairemow]

New thread for us....

Hi Everyone,

Hope you are all well!

Liquid Good luck with DS's baptism, hope it goes well. DD'S is in 2 weeks we only got the date yesterday so have two weeks to arrange venue, food, drinks!!! The only thing I did have sorted was dd christening gown!

Cruise Im so to hear your still having probs with ds sleeping, all I can say is I hope it gets better soon I cant imagine what it must be like.

Myrtle Im glad the lump was ok.

Mable - Marls ok you guys have inspired me Im gonna start my sit ups again tommorow and I am going to stick at it!

I have a cold...again....I feel so guilty because I have given it to dd...again.I ended up in hospital lastnight because when I get a cold it triggers my asthma the doctors wanted me to stay but I didnt want to leave dd so came home, thankfully I feel alot better today just trying to take it easy. DD is so good she doesnt cry even though she is not well.

I looked at her tonight before I put her to bed and the love I feel for her just overwhelmed me! I know I moan to my friends and say its hard and blah blah but she is so worth it. They all are arent they? ok let me stop gushing.

Anyway Im off to bed. Night all xx

Hi everyone

Have not posted for a while been busy, hope you are well.

Ds is doing very well and i have started on the baby rice, he has gone off his bottles and it is a struggle to get 4oz down him in 5hrs. So iam going to try and keep him on bottles and rice untill he is 6 months.

Liquid good luck with the baptism, hoping to do ds1 and ds2 sometime in the summer so we can use the house and garden has the venue.

Cruise sorry to hear the sleeping is no better.

ksaej - I have started wening ds and he loves his grub!!! He is now on breakfast. lunch and dinner plus bf., I am trying to wean to ff but he objects and roots around for my boob until he gets it! I am a bit concerned about the lack of milk he is taking right now but the hv seemed to think that he wsa doing Ok and asked me to make a sleep/eat/drink log until she visits (yes, visits!!!!) next Thursday.

Just a quickie. Wanted to tell you the quote of the year from this household...

Heard from the bathroom where DH was bathing DS who was suddenly crying: "We were just playing and then I noticed his mouth was under water."

He reckons he thought it would be good to teach DS front crawl

MEN!!!!!!

Hi Cruise - well done on the weaning. Can I be nosey and ask what food he loves. Used quite a few jars with ds last time and am keen not to go down the route with dd so any tips gratefully received

COMPO - so far have tried...
mashed potato - liked
mashed banana - loved
mashed carrot - loved
mashed pumpkin - loved

That's all I've done so far but I did some parsnip and some brocolli today which I will try over the next week or so. He also has baby rice and baby cereal which he loves too. hth

thnaks Are you adding anything to it. like formula or anything? Do you just mash with a fork or blend? cheers

bristols - perhaps it's time to remind DH that social services exist.... only joking! DH has done some pretty stupid things like that - not least of which was the time he left DS on the top bunk and said 'but I didn't think he'd try and get off' - alls well that ends well as they say!

We're holding off on weaning for now. DS's eczema is so bad I really don't want to risk making it worse. Poor love, but we've been granted a reprieve of sorts - it goes through cycles and it's not so bad today so hopefully will be ok in his baptism pics.

Surviving the inlaws for now - despite my 'would you let someone who's just had a fag old a 4 month old?' thread... !

compo - depends on how thick it is. Mostly I do mix formula as ds seems to be drinking less milk lately.

thanks for the info - I'm gearing myself up to start in a couple of weeks. I feel quite excited about it even though it's my 2nd time and it will be very messy!
It's very quiet on here today - hope everyone has been doing fun, weekend things with the family

Liquid - how was the baptism? I hope you had a lovely day. I'm going to phone the vicar tomorrow and see about arranging DS's baptism.

We started DS on solids yesterday. He had a taste of baby rice mixed with formula which went down well and today he had some swede. This went down but wasn't enjoyed as much but i forgot to add any milk to it and used boiled water instead so there were no familiar tastes in there for him.

Anyone else weaning form breast to bottle, did you find that your LO seemed much keener on the formula milk than the breast milk. DS only has a few sucks of breast at each feed and then when its time for the bottle feed, he is absolutely desperate to gulp it down like its so much more tasty.

liquid - haven't seen your thread, but my answer in an ideal world would be no, but in reality it is very difficult to tell someone they can't hold the baby because they just smoked a cigarette.....unfortunately most peole aren't able to see the harm in it. Hope everything went ok for you.
I've had quite a relaxed w/e - Dh had a wedding to photograph yetsredya, so we spent the day at my mum and dads...in some ways nice to have the extra help, in other ways harder work as I am constantly saying to DS1 ' no put that down...leave that alone etc etc....'

DS2 woke for 2 early feeds over the weekend. 3.20am on saturday and 4.30am this morning, he goes staright back to sleep, but on saturday I just couldn't sleep and was exhausated all day. Hoping it's just a blip and we can hold off weaning for a little longer.

Myrtle - I found exactly the same going from breast to bottle. To the point that I felt as though I had been starving him for the previous twenty weeks! I think that it's because the milk comes from the bottle much, much more quickly. Also, its heavier than breast milk so it must be much more satisfying.

Not much to report here. LO has a cold with a terrible cough but it doesn't seem to be affecting his sleep. So far... We're still a long way off weaning. DS happy with five 7oz bottles a day. Hanging on as long as I can. Am excited about weaning but also enjoying the simplicity of only giving milk at the mo.

Liquid, hope the baptism went well. Was a beautiful day here today. Hope you had the same...

re weaning:

I've been trying DS on those fruitapura pots and some of the Hipp Organic vegetable purees, then today i tried him on some first-taste Custard.

He Loves the Carrot & Potatoes puree, and cant get enough of the custard.
The fruit puree has been a bit hit and miss, but i did try him with baby rice and also rusks, neither of which he liked.

Myrtle, DS also loved formula more than breastfeeding.. - I think it's just so much easier for them...

Compo, on weaning, F has had tastes of baby rice, pear, apple, mashed banana, carrot, parsnip, sweet potato and courgette. He hasn't refused anything, but esp seems to love the pear and banana... although banana on its own bungs him up a little... I cook on the hob (steamer or pan) until soft (except banana - just use a ripe one), then blend in my mini mixer until it's basically pureed. Then if it's too thick, I add formula or boiled water. Too runny, and I add some baby rice, or mix e.g. runny pear with thicker parsnip. I've been introducing something new every 3 days or so, and always at lunchtime, so that if there's a reaction it's not at night time iyswim. I'm going to try not to use any jars this time - didn't use many last time either, but the contents worry me - lots and lots of water, and thickening agents and very little actual ingredients very often. Also I have a friend who weaned exclusively on jars and her boys now won't eat the food she cooks. I think the jars taste quite manufactured, so I try and keep them for emergencies or travelling (although banana and avocado work just as well then).

Fraser has another cold... he was coughing really badly this morning around 6, and woke crying. I ended up in his room with him cuddling back to sleep in the spare bed. Lovely cuddles, but every time I tried to put him back in his cot asleep he woke up, so I decided to give up and go with the flow, so he slept on my tummy for an hour or so. All snotty though, so lots of snorting!

DS1 has discovered the Sound of Music - yesterday lunchtime we sat and watched it for about 1 1/2 hours! Not bad concentration for a 2 yr old! He loves the children, and everytime they go out of shot he wants to know where they are... He's just been trying to sing along to doh re mi!

Liquid, I hope the baptism went well, and you had a great day. The weather here was gorgeous, so I hope it was where you are.

another early morning today....
Ds1 woke ay 4am i think he was cold, DS2 woke at 4.30am. I am wondering if the central heating woke him up, so have changed the time to come on later.
We are all full of cold and so tired that neither of us is managing to stay up past 10pm to do the last feed. ...i think if this continues I wil have to start weaning, for my sanity if nothing else....

claire - agree with you on the jars thing. have you tasted them, they all taste of vegetable oil to me, plus they have the taste blasted out of them because of the high temperatures they have to treat them at.

Yep, agree Mabel don't think that jars are that great tbh - the fruit ones aren't that bad but the main meals are just tastless. Having said that always good to keep some in for emergencies & travel etc but I found it so much easier, cheaper & quicker to steam / cook my own stuff. J seems to enjoy the bottle more than me now Think this week maybe the last for BF. Feel sad but not as bad as I thought...he seems ready & in some ways so do I as I'd love to wear normal underwear again & reclaim my boobs!! We really (almost 100%) wont be having anymore so this could be the last time I do this so want to enjoy it as long as I can....!!!

lol at the Sound of Music clairemow!! Think DD will love it too... In answer to your question Liquid...really don't know!! I want, if at all possible, to carry on using my Spanish but in what role I don't know.

Took DD up to London to my hairdressers on Sat - just can't find anyone local who knows what they are doing! Hard when you've had the same person cut your hair for 5 years, Anyhow, had my cousins wedding yday so needed the grey hairs covered up! DD needed a trim so thought it would be nice to take her along & have a girlie day! It was her first time on a train (other than in Spain but she was 9 months at the time so really didn't remember!) & the tube & she loved it...so excited she was! Called the tube the wibbly wobbly train! Oh the innocence of it all

Hello all, it ahs been a while since i have been on, the PIL have been visiting, so ben a little busy.
But they have told me a worrying tale about BIL and Niece. Apparently he was at their house and it was time for a feed, but she wouldn't take it and just kept shouting and craning her neck to see Grandad as if asking for help. So BIL held her chin and force fed her! FIL had to leave the room at this point. Their hands are tied because if they say anything BIL will go mad and not return, so they would not be able to see their Grand daughter anymore.
V worrying. They don't seem to have any patience with her at all and anything she does is a nuisance to them!But that was a scary tale to hear and now I am for me wee niece.

Also V worried about the future and constant comparisons between the grand daughters. Mine coming out on top (No I am not necessarily pleased about it) But already they are saying, oh she smiles so much more, we can't get a smile out of GD1 etc. Not Good!
I feel SIL will come to resent me and my 'perfect child' as I am sure she will become annoyed at the comparisons.
But mostly worried about how they are coping, force feeding is one thing, where else does it go behind closed doors?
Thats nasty to say, but they do seem to struggle with her. We were all surprised that SIL became pregnant, it did not seem in her to want children and I fear that it was a band aid baby in order not to lose her husband. Then the poor thing suffered with Postnatal Depression, though the HV never said as much, it was clear she was not coping (I reccieved a birthday card once with a long out pouring that included feeling that she wanted the throw her baby out the window. But also she would also tell people that she would sit in the kitchen screaming whilst her child cried in the living room, simply because she couldn't cope.)
Whole horrid situation. I do not mean to talk bad of either of them, I really like BIL, SIL takes getting used to but I have no hard feelings towards her.
Just not nice to hear of people struggling

How old is your neice?
Just to give a different point of view it often probably looks like I'm force feeding dd as she is so nosey, if I let her have her way she really wouldn't take much milk in the day as she'd rather watch ds playing!

fairysnuff, that's a difficult situation, but remember you're only hearing their version - do they like BIL? (I wasn't sure, is it your sister and hubby, or your brother and wife?) Sounds like they don't... so it may be they are making it sound worse than it really is. When I was reading it I was thinking, like Compo, that it might look like I am force feeding Fraser - if there is a lot of noise/TV on/people around, he would rather keep looking around the room, so I have to follow his mouth with the bottle (when I was bf, it was nigh on impossible...!). But I wouldn't ever hold his chin.

It is hubbys Brother and and wife. They do not get on with him as well as my DH, mainly because BIL is so influenced by his wife that he has changed so much.
You may be right she may have been distracted by the Grandparents presence, but I think they are there normally, when she comes round and gets fed?
It turned out that she was teething so was not interseted in the food cos she was in pain.
She has just turned one.
The PIL think that it is because they are so regimented in their routine that BIL had to feed her then, or their book would read wrong and wife would ask why and complain.
They write Everything down in a book. When she eats, sleep and plays, what she had, how long she slept (and how long it took to settle) and what she played with.
There is nothing that anyone can do, they do not take to helpful hints or criticism and have been given lots of advice from lots of peole but this is the way they have decided to go (shrug)
But you are right, I am only hearing one side.

fairysnuff - writing everything in a book all the time does sound a little extreme but perhaps it is their way of finding order in a chaotic life? Everyone does things differently and to some of my friends I may seem cruel because if DS1 doesn't want his lunch at lunch time he doesn't get it, or if he doesn't like it he doesn't get another option - just bread and marg. Obviously none of like to think that we may be blind to abuse, physical or emotional, so if you're concerned keep an eye out and if you can be there for them to come to for support. If you're still concerned then there are agencies you can speak to confidentially about these sort of issues and they culd advise you on what to do.

The baptism went really well - DS1 was a very lively willfull 2 year old and we had a few strops but DS2 was the perfect baby - NO crying or anything - just smiled all day! We had lovely weather and a gorgeous cake - will post a pic when I download them

Need you all to wish me a bit more luck for tomorrow - I have a job interview! fingers and toes crossed!

Re weaning - I homecooked pretty much all of DS1's food (except rice & porridge) until he was 10 ish months and then only used the odd jar - he refused most of them. He eats ok now but refuses anything with herbs/spices in or strong flavours - I don't know if you can win! I've got a book somewhere with a list of companies who make organic and 'pure' babyfood - if I can find it I'll put links up to their sites.

wow! i've had loads to catch up on! once again, ive been away from posting here, but i do try to read a little of all your lo's when i can. tonight, MN has my full attention.

liquid ~ happy to hear the christening was lovely!

claire ~ my ds is currently experiencing his first cold and i, too, have been finding it easier to have him with me for the occassional night while he's in this state. i have been putting him in his cot, but he keep waking from coughing and general discomfort. so in the bed he goes with mommy & dad. ((yes, i do have to keep changing my sheets from all the snot as he;s finding comfort in rubbing his face on them! ha!))

also, am i the only one not weaning right now? i feel left out! ok not really. i guess the best way to look at it is: im learning from what you all are trying and writing about when ff {i.e. homemade vs. jarred, what types, etc}} i do have to say that im really looking forward to seeing his face when we first try! he is showing loads of interest in our foods now...i spoke to the HV today and she asked if i would hold out a little longer. i dont have a problem with it, really, i guess. he's feeding regularly on the boob so no worries.

Got ds weighed today... at 19 weeks he comes in at 13.10. im sure that will go up when he's taking in the purees and rice.

other than all that, i hope you are all happy today.

oh. one other thing possibly worth mentioning...

im putting on a brave face and heading to boots tomorrow ...getting a prego test. lately, ive been feeling a slight bit of an "all too familiar" nausea.

((isnt it a little odd that some of of have had the scare roughly at the same time?? i think i recall reading about some of you going through the same over the last couple weeks...))