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July 2016 #2

998 replies

Bluebell20 · 19/08/2016 04:28

A new thread as we (hopefully) move towards longer sleeps and lovely little smiles!

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julfin · 07/10/2016 00:45

Wow, that TV channel really works! The nighttime programmes are all aimed at making a baby sleepy. Lots of kaleidoscope-type sequences and gentle music. He's now asleep in his bouncy chair - only took about 15 mins. So I'm going to have some shut-eye now (hopefully - except I'm now wide awake Confused). Night, all!

Bluebell20 · 07/10/2016 06:26

I just changed a nappy before the night feed was fully finished. Ruben is now pooing away in it. Will I never learn?!

Julf that's great that you got jasper off to sleep. Ruben has his jabs on Weds and I didn't notice any difference - he had his at 4pm though so it wasn't too many hours before he was down for the night anyway.

Sunday - dentist went fine! I'm lucky with my teeth though (makes up for my shocking eyesight) so it didn't take long. I took him in his car seat and faced him so he could see me. The health visitor here advises taking your child to every dental appointment you have and holding them on your lap if possible so that they get used to the experience.

Poor child had only just got home and been taken out of his car seat when I heard from a friend that Lidl are selling overlockers for £129, and that they had sold out in her local store. I've always wanted an overlocker but never been able to afford one, so I stuffed Ruben straight back in his seat and high-tailed it to Lidl! (I did let the dogs out in the garden for a pee and a leg-stretch first, which I felt was v noble of me.) Our Lidl had tons of them! Photo attached! So I now have a new toy to play with... When I somehow magically find the time!

Dogs are all right, but I really don't like being on my own with them. I was feeding Ruben in the garden and the younger dog wanted me to play with her, which I couldn't, so she just came closer and closer barking at me. Im fairly sure she'd never bite, but you just don't know with dogs and she was awfully close to Ruben's head. In the end I had to get up (Ru still clamped onto boob, feeding away blissfully unaware) and retreat into the house. DH will be about now until his parents get back Sunday night though, so that is the hardest bit of the dog sitting over for me. Hooray!

Also finished reading a rather odd book that I've been ploughing through during feeding sessions - called The Light Years by Elizabeth Jane Howard. Anyone else read it? It's a brick, but it doesn't really have a plot. It just follows a rather sprawling family through two summers; really well observed details and I enjoyed it, but there are four more in the series and it just seems really bizarre that there was no significant overarching storyline!

July 2016 #2
OP posts:
Bluebell20 · 07/10/2016 14:50

Friday weigh-in:

1lb lost, 4lbs to go.
Waist still the same just about, possibly lost a quarter of an inch - maybe I should measure in cm so it's smaller increments!
Word count: 11,244

OP posts:
beckslovestimmy · 07/10/2016 18:19

Well done blue I had a bad week weight wise. 2lb on. Whoops!! Been in it last 2 days hoping for a good kiss next week. Got to start shifting this weight.

sundaysunday · 07/10/2016 22:27

2lb off this week for me, which given that I put 2lb on last week makes me even again.

Successful trip to the hairdressers. E was good as gold for the full three hours thankfully- I was dreading it!

Bluebell I'm jealous you are managing to read during feeding. I started reading a new book pre baby and am yet to pick it up again!

Cookiesandcoffee · 07/10/2016 22:59

julfin we always have babytv on! My nearly 4 year old even still enjoys it and watches it with him (great parenting over here!) poor little boy hope he's ok

Yey for the hairdressers sunday ! 3 hours is impressive! I really need a cut.. (I have issues with getting my hair cut so put it off on purpose)

bluebs you've managed to read a book?! Bloody super woman over there! Well done you! Loving the Lidl expedition, I hope you are very happy together Grin

Just been setting up my new phone - since when did I become rubbish with technology?! Has taken me hours! Yet half my stuff still hasn't synced!

Bluebell20 · 08/10/2016 06:02

becks it's just so hard to fit in time for exercise, I'm finding - I can see why people buy those buggies you can run with. I haven't even managed to call back the personal trainer I wanted to book at our gym.

sunday woo, great weight loss! You must be chuffed. And hooray for the hairdresser too - did you manage to not feed in all that time? Yeah I've found reading while feeding is quite relaxing now that I'm not having to concentrate of Ruben's latch. That said, holding the book open is awkward! I need one those gadgets they sell in Waterstones!

Cookies I don't have two other children to deal with while feeding! God, yeah, I used to be great with computers and now I'm mediocre at best, and am truly terrible with smartphones. It's scary how fast it all marches on!

Total disaster getting out of the house today for leg wax. I'd fed Ruben but he decided he was starving again just as I was leaving, and I had no milk defrosted because I was only going out for an hour. So I got a pack out of the freezer but when I went to put a bottle together, I hadn't used them for so long that they were slightly mouldy, despite having been cleaned and sterilised before putting away - I obv need to store them differently. I cried! I breast fed him and was late. They were very nice about it. But annoyingly I lost a whole pack of milk - grr.

Ru is waking every morning at 5.15 now. Doesn't matter what time he goes to bed, that is when he wakes up. Isn't it bizarre?!

OP posts:
primarynoodle · 08/10/2016 10:55

bluebell poor doggies :( and poor you having to look after them! I'm a huge dog lover but am really uneasy with dogs around young children. I had the most gorgeous Alsatian growing up who was soft as shite, fab with kids, super loyal etc etc but when he was about 12 he bit the postman - no idea why, he was just old and grumpy I suspect. Made me sharply learn that as domesticated as we make them dogs are still wild animals and should be treated with respect and caution!
Also what is an overlocker? I thought you meant a locker like you get at the swimming pool but seems to be a sewing machine of some kind Blush

julf poor family :( that's heartbreaking. Hope all is ok (and glad mn sorted the posting issues). Annie was totally no different after either set of jabs! If anything she slept less!

indians lol at that dream. I wish Annie would take a bottle :( work have offered me some supply over the next few months but I can't go - I just think she's too little yet to leave on the off chance she doesn't take a bottle? Am I being pfb? Anyone else got advice?

sunday I had the dentist on Thursday - 5 injections and 2 fillings Sad I wasn't brace enough to take Annie! Well done E for being so good!!

How do you tell bottles are mouldy bluebell? Or will it be evident when I see it?

friday weigh in
Weight: 10lb2
Loss: 1lb
To lose: 2lb

I get to try out the diy feeding dress tomorrow for my mums 60th! I'll let you know how it all goes

So the majority of my crazy post pregnancy/birth hormones have gone and I'm much more chilled out with people around Annie (when I say people I mean dp's family - bizarrely I am totally fine about any strangers or my friends having a snuggle) but I wish I could make it the law that people didn't soak themselves in rank perfume before cuddling Annie AngryAngry she bloody stinks for hours! (Looking at you mum and mil)... could I be anymore pfb?

Here's a pic of Annie watching the season finale of game of thrones season 6 - I don't feel her expression shows enough appreciation of the emotional turmoil and cliffhangers...

July 2016 #2
Bluebell20 · 08/10/2016 12:56

primary an overlocker is a machine which you use with four spools of thread and it edges fabric to stop it fraying. Look at the edges of any seam on shop-bought clothing - especially stretchy stuff like t-shirts - and you'll see overlocked stitching. It's bloody amazing and I am now going to buy a ridiculous amount of jersey fabric. Already promised DH a hoodie for Christmas!

Regarding mould, there were actual little dark spots of mildew on the bottle components. Totally visible, don't worry. But I think you are supposed to resterilise stuff before you use it if it's been more than 48 hours anyway?

Well done on the weight loss - hope you have a lovely time at the party! I'm the same as you - although I don't mind Ruben being cuddled by all and sundry, it is annoying when he then smells of perfume for the rest of the day!

OP posts:
sundaysunday · 08/10/2016 15:15

bluebell that must be really annoying to waste milk when you've taken the time to express it. Good thing they were so understanding about you being late for your appointment- I hate being late but it's becoming a regular occurrence with baby in tow. I'm even more impressed that you manage an actual book rather than a Kindle! No I didn't have to feed him at all at the hairdresser, he loved watching everything and had a massive sleep when we got home.

Cookies I am awful now with technology, just don't get why everything needs to sync up, FFS my washing machine could link to my phone if I so desired! Why?!

Primary I feel exactly the same about dogs as you. I will never feel relaxed with a dog around my baby, you just never know when they could turn nasty.

Just wondering what you are all thinking of asking people to get your little ones for Xmas? My friend is gonna lend us a jumperoo. I'd like to tell relatives what we need rather than end up with loads of miscellaneous shite gifts. So far on the list is high chair, stair gate and weaning stuff ie spoons, bowls, small containers etc. Any ideas?

Bluebell20 · 08/10/2016 20:52

sunday I was going to ask my dad for baby classes as suggested by Beaut!

Mega terrible shopping trip today. Took ages, Ru cried, my card PIN got refused - fortunately I had another card, then he fed for fricking forever in the car, then did an almighty poo that I had to change in the boot, then continued to cry half the way home. He has also just taken nearly two hours to settle for bed and my poor boobs feel as though they have had sandpaper applied to them.

I did not purchase nearly enough chocolate at the supermarket.

OP posts:
beckslovestimmy · 08/10/2016 21:40

Sounds like a nightmare blue! I gave up on shopping yesterday. Went out for the day and was going to do the shopping on the way home. DD moaned, whined and whinged all day, Ben cried the whole time in the car and I just couldn't face it!! Went on my own this morning and it was lovely, hardly anyone there and left both kids with DH at home.

AnnaT45 · 08/10/2016 23:07

Hello!

So my brothers op went great! He was home in the afternoon and out today dancing with the group my mum set up. So relieved it's untrue!

blue how are the dogs? What is an out locker?! ugh! I also need chocolate today! Got up early to take DD1 to baby ballet but it was cancelled when we got there. So I took both girls to Tesco without the pram. I survived!!! Ok adnittkey a man blocked df1 from running with his trolley, they opened a till for me and did my packing. But I survived!!! No one cried lol. This afternoon the girls gave tag teamed crying and DH has been doing house jobs. We're making progress with the nursery. Pic attached. I will paint it next year as not a fan of msgnolia.

Re weight loss. I've put on 1.5 lbs this week. All deserved as haven't done much walking and stuffed my face. Want to get back on it tomorrow / keep telling myself Grace is only 9 weeks and I've done ok so far.

sunday things like clarks vouchers are handy. When they start walking you have to buy decent shoes and it adds up! Or vouchers for John Lewis for clothes. For actual pressies books are fab, one of those rings they use to start sitting in, soft building blocks, a walker. I try think of stuff they'll want down the line. DD1 bday is 27 Dec so it's a nightmare thinking of stuff for her!
Also I hated taking Grace to hairdresser. Trying to BF with the gown was hard work! Couldn't find her half the time Grin

primmary Annie is lush!!! Well done on weight loss. I'm so jealous!! Must be better!!

juf love baby TV! Been watching way too much TV lately. Can't wait for feeding to calm down so I can get out more. How is your cousin? I agree it must be hard to move on when you have a child. I'm so sorry for your family. It's so sad.

Grace cluster feeding tonight. I need to stop counting days away. I'll miss this when I have two teenagers screaming at me!!!

July 2016 #2
julfin · 09/10/2016 00:16

Sunday - very good point re asking for weaning kit for Christmas. And I love the Bluebell/Beaut suggestion of classes - I might ask for swimming lessons for Jasper (and maybe treatments e.g. massage/mani-pedi for me). My other main ask for J will be clothes, I think. I guess a mixture of 6-9m and 9-12m clothes. Incidentally, I've already started putting Jasper in jumpers for age 6-9m, because I don't want to buy two sets of jumpers for the October-March period and I figured it doesn't matter if they're a bit (very) floppy-armed at first. It's worth telling people that you really like John Lewis own-brand - because then you can swap them (or get store credit) if they're not what you need - you don't need a receipt if it's their own brand. We don't want more cuddly toys (because so many people have very kindly bought him lots already) but I guess he might be ready for other types of toys...? Not really sure what a 6-month-old baby plays with - can experienced mothers here advise? And books I guess - you can never have too many books imo.
On a side-note, re a high chair, we got a perfectly decent one from a charity shop for just a few pounds (and we'll keep it as a spare at my parents'). Fara Kids is worth checking out, if there's one near you.

Primary - I'm trying to persuade Jasper to take a bottle. We've had a couple of happy successes, but normally there's half an hour of screaming before he'll drink it. Problem is, it seems worse in the evening - which is when I've got someone (DH) to feed him the bottle (because I understand it shouldn't be me). I might need to ask my Nct ladies if one of them mind would feed him now and again, so I can get him used to the bottle. I'm keen to get it cracked, because I want to be able to have evenings out etc.
Photos of the dress, please!
Glad you're able to be more relaxed now. Great pic of Annie!

Bluebell - I agree it's so hard to find time for exercise! Sympathies re having to throw away the milk. I've had to do that a couple of times - so frustrating! It got me thinking about how much a bottle of my milk would be worth if I was paid (for expressing) at my normal hourly rate! 😄 A lot more than 60p, or whatever a pint of cow's milk costs!
I think I'd go crazy reading a book (or five books) with no plot. When I was little I used to skip over the descriptive paragraphs, because I found them boring. I'm better behaved now, but I do need a plot.

Cookies - if your two children are happy and enjoy spending time together, then you're a fabulous mother! Intrigued to know about your hair-cutting issues. My only issue is with the price (and also the shite loud music they play).

Becks - "hoping for a good kiss next week" - ??

Anna - so glad your bro is ok.
What does baby ballet involve?
Your nursery looks gorgeous! I've loved seeing everyone's photos over the months. We'll stay in our one-bedroom apartment for as long as we can all fit, because it's lovely and in a really nice area, but on the other hand I am looking forward to having a nursery to decorate one day.
Not sure re my cousin. Most of my family live overseas, so we don't get to see each other as much as we'd like. I've sent nice messages, but can only guess how she's feeling. Thanks to you and others for your kind messages.

I am addicted to Lottie Shaw's "seriously good oat flapjacks with chocolate". They are, as described, seriously good. I might carry on breastfeeding for a couple of years, just so I can justify continuing to stuff them down my greedy throat. I'm salivating just thinking about them now. Mmmmm...

12w & 3d

beckslovestimmy · 09/10/2016 07:44

Whoops!! Julf I meant a good loss (weight loss). Although a good kids would be nice too. Blush

beckslovestimmy · 09/10/2016 08:45

Kiss !!! Doh!

dats · 09/10/2016 09:21

Best highchair ever is the IKEA one that you get in most cafes. It's about £15 with the tray. Easy to clean, no crevices - which you'll def appreciate. It's in my top 5 of baby kit recommendations!

Bluebell OMG re overlocker. I managed about 3cm of moss stitch band on blanket yesterday, en route to FIL's house in the midlands. Hoping for more of the same on the way home. Joss needs the blanket now so that's my motivation!
Julfin so sorry to hear about your cousins little boy, how awfully sad for him Sad
Anna delighted your bro's op went well - what a star! Def agree about doing whatever the chuff you want for your birthday! Nursery looks lovely!
primary Annie is so scrummy, love that face! You do make me chuckle. Can't wait to hear how the dress mod fares and hope you don't have to spend the party in a toilet cubicle with it round your neck! I'm sure it'll be grand!
Cookies massive hug my lovely - hope you're feeling a bit better. Knows things are a phase is good but still bloody hard while you're wading through treacle but desperately trying not to wish the time away. You're dealing with A Lot right now just having three babies!
Indians J fusses and scratches at the boob regularly, but not every feed - usually it's wind, it seems. It's really frustrating. The night/5am feed is good as he's always nice and relaxed. Is H still pukey? It's getting me down...my sofa is covered in milk splat marks. Babies are disgusting!

Better go, promised DD the village park and I've not even had my breakfast yet.

Happy Sunday, mamas xx

July 2016 #2
dats · 09/10/2016 09:23

Oh forgot: had blissful solo shop in brand new Waitrose yesterday haha!

primarynoodle · 09/10/2016 09:53

bluebell omg that's amazing! I always wondered how they managed to get that stitch on jersey! I will be adding that to my Christmas list! What a nightmare shopping!

sunday Annie is the first baby on both sides and all extended family so annoyingly we are going to end up with all sorts of plastic crap that we can't fit in our tiny house. I won't say anything though as I know I will sound ungrateful, my hope is that people by books and 6-9/9-12 clothes! We have been gifted a jumparoo and high chair from my friends and I got tons of weaning stuff as gifts when she was born... actually I hope someone gets her a digital ear thermometer as they're expensive and it's a pita trying to get a temperature from under her arm!

anna fab news on the op :) glad it went well. Weight loss is easy Peasy in the week but my will power flies out of the window at the weekend... I'm happy with my weight Tbh but I'm so jelly - exercise is so unattainable at the moment though grr

julf this is also my issue, the only time anyone is around to give her the bottle is in the evening but she's too fussy

Anna that nursery is beautiful! Has anyone moved baby out the bedroom yet? Im quite happy with Annie next to me tbh, can't be arsed getting out of bed to do feeds when the time comes! Luckily our crib is quite big so she'll hopefully make it to six months in it - no room for a cot next to the bed

primarynoodle · 09/10/2016 10:34

Argh I was on track getting us all washed and ready till Annie vomits for the first time in weeks.... right into my hair!

July 2016 #2
beckslovestimmy · 09/10/2016 12:04

Primary I remember DD doing this it was a whole 8oz of milk in my freshly washed and straightened hair, all down my dress/vest/bra. I could of cried!!

I thought I'd add a little pic of Ben watching the football last night!!

15+3

July 2016 #2
beckslovestimmy · 09/10/2016 18:43

Just a thought (and laugh) for those of you breast feeding??!! Grinquite discreet don't you think??

July 2016 #2
primarynoodle · 09/10/2016 18:55

GrinGrinGrinGrin becks! That's brilliant!

Breastfeeding dress was a big success....except didn't think we'd be there as long so My right boob is about the size of the moon now! A zip on each side would have been useful!

Flossiesmummy · 09/10/2016 20:49

Hello! Sorry I've been absent for so long.

A little confession. I'm now a full on pookie doodle puppy addict. Rose loves it. Blush

Going to get caught up now.

July 2016 #2
AnnaT45 · 09/10/2016 22:20

That jumper is gorgeous Grin