July 2016 #3

[primarynoodle]

Hello all! Can't believe we're on thread 3! Let's kickstart with a then and now photo :)

Here's Annie at 4 months 4 days

Hey,

I just came on the iPad to catch up on the thread and accidental clobbered Raffy in the head whilst he was feeding, he was less than impressed ;)

Loki that is wonderful news she is beautiful and I love her name, willow was one of my girl names.

Birchy, you poor thing feel for you its a horrendous thing to cope with and so exhausting. I shared care of my grandma with my mum and its is mentally and often physically so draining sending hugs.

I did my first kit afternoon on Friday. A finance projections meeting on a Friday I mean what was my boss thinking ha.. I am doing another couple of meetings this week then some bits from home and handover days in late April before I head back in May. I think I am going to do 30 hours but on,y 3 days in the office the others as on call and evening work. Saves recruiting and job sharing for 2 days which will be tricky plus I keep a handle on everything this way (not a control freak honest :) )

Weaning is going ok, also mostly spoon fed joining you on the choking incidents and Raffy won't eat anything whereas at the moment he is eating a fair amount being fed and finally breaking through with the tomee tipee

Will stop being so lazy and get on here more!

Hope all the babies are ok

Someone lives a wotsit!!!!

Loves!!! And yes that is a pink buggy snuggle but Ben doesn't care!

Birchy - sorry to hear about the sleep, but glad the feeding is going well. I suspect with littlies there's always going to be a problem with one or the other (or both!) 😬 I hope your corner has been turned.
Oh gosh, Alzheimer's is so tough. My uncle is suffering too, and it's so hard on the immediate family. My sympathies to you. You're right though, and very strong, to focus on the happy things that you can treasure.

Rolly - your KIT sounds pretty hardcore!

Becks - what adorable smiley eyes and cheeky grin! How many teeth?

Jasper is an absolute hoot at the moment. Can only crawl backwards, so I'll sit him on the playmate with some toys, and within a minute he'll flip onto his front and crawl back a metre or so until he hits a wall or other obstacle, and he'll get really frustrated because he can no longer reach his toys. He's much happier standing, and walking with handholding. I wonder if he'll be like me and skip the crawling stage.

We were supposed to go to an engagement party this evening and my parents were coming up to babysit. But due to the yucky lurgy that's hit the household, we sadly decided to miss the party. Instead my parents babysat during the afternoon while we pottered about having a very productive time doing various admin, career stuff and tidying. A real shame to miss our friends' party, but nevertheless a deeply satisfying day!

The weather yesterday was so beautiful - made me really look forward to Spring.

Not sure why I'm still awake...

Hope you're all having a nice weekend x

4 teeth now julf. He keeps scraping the varnish off our tv cabinet!!! Shane you missed the party. But sounds like a productive afternoon. My 2 have been poorly this week but are finally better so we have had a lovely weekend and 2 busy fun packed days.

Rolly well done on the KIT days. I must book in my mandatory training! Can't believe my may leave ends next month (luckily I then have 8 weeks annual leave).

Birchy sleep was rubbish with Ben for a while, for the last few weeks I've tried leaving Ben a little longer when he wakes and cries and now most times he'll settle himself within 20-30 seconds (we did had a rough few nights when he was poorly though)

Here's my 2 at the beach on Saturday.

Hi all! loki congratulations, like someone said lots of rainbow babies on this thread, shes beautiful and thanks for coming back to share your news! all else sorry its so hard to reply individually on the phone andbive smashed my ipad grr. Glad weaning and moving is going well for everyone. Cant believe some babies have so many teeth! Still no signs of teggies arriving here. Ive managed to put annie down for naps twoce over the weekend awake and in her cot! She didnt cry at all for one of them and had a 3 minute whinge for the other, hoping it continues! (Night wakings still a nightmare though).

Ive got a question about cows milk. When i go back to work part time annie will be 10 months, if i am exclusively breastfeeding is it ok to replace the lunchtime drink with cows milk 3 days a week if im breastfeeding the rest of the time? Just seems silly to switch to formula for 2 months for 1 drink a day 3x a week then switch to cows milk for those drinks at 12 months! I wasnt sure if cows milk was a no no because bottle fed babies wouldnt get enough nutrients if they only drank cows milk or if all babies should never have cows milk before 12 months for some other reason? (Hope that makes sense). I cant find any advice online, she already has lots of dairy products with her solid food (milk in cereal, cheese, yoghurt etc) and has seemed fine

Primary, I am planning to do exactly that with the milk, I don't think it will do any harm! Raff currently drinks the last of his milk from breakfast and he loves it! It's a tiny amount but he gets so excited which after our formula trials has made me feel much better.

Julf, hilarious here too he is so determined to go forwards but not really getting there. He is tired and grumpy today not quite figured out the cause yet but generally he is also hilarious at the moment.

Becks I don't go back until may but just doing some bits now it all feels like a bit of a real life test! Raffy is hanging out with mum instead of the childminder as it's too far away I think so he is going to do his settling days at the end of April before I head back. How is Ben with his teeth becks I am not sure Raffy has figured out there actual purpose yet!

It's Monday and we are hiding out today, but we are sending our passports away which has me very excited!!

Rolly I think Ben is getting the hang of chewing with his teeth now he's discovered wotsits. He can put a whole one in chew it and swallow it no problem!!

Becks - what a lovely photo. Your daughter is beautiful. They both have the same gorgeous eyes - are they yours? (The eyes I mean. Obviously the children are yours.)
That's great that you had such a nice weekend. How lovely to be at the beach. (Ps are you sure that photo is at the beach?!)
Good news about the self-settling.
Eating the TV cabinet eh? Yummy.

Primary - oh no re the iPad! I mostly use my phone and just use Notes to do individual responses so I can easily flick back to the thread at the same time as typing.
Great that bedtime is going well. I'm hoping that once they get good at settling themselves to sleep in the first place, they'll then have the skills to self-settle when they wake at night.
Re milk, yes there's certainly nothing unhealthy in moo milk, it's just that it doesn't contain the nutrients that babies under 1y need, whereas mummy milk or formula do. I'd imagine that if Annie's 10m and taking two other milks per day, then moo milk once a day shouldn't be a problem. Having said that, I'm planning to stick with bf and hopefully some formula (if I can teach J to drink from a bottle or cup!) until 12m, and only move onto moo milk then (except when using in meals, in which case I'll use moo milk before 12m - but I'll stick with bf/formula for the drinks).

Rolly - where are the passports for?

I've been quite enjoying thinking about my next move career-wise and starting putting thoughts into action. Feeling very motivated about it actually. And had sing&sign today which we're really enjoying (and which I think hopefully my mother will continue taking J to once I return to work). And aside from that, mostly trying to relax and recover from the lurgy...

It's just taken me an hour to get J to sleep. He was strangely chilled and happy lying in his cot and just didn't go to sleep for ages. So, the boob it was... Am now extracting myself very stealthily and gingerly - like a stealthy ginger cat.

Haha julf!

julf I've got the munchkin cup too and am also looking forward to the day he works out how to get the liquid out! I've tried it myself and it's not easy :)

birchy I can appreciate your mum being hard work, I've worked with dementia patients and it's tough but must be even more so when it's someone you care deeply about.

Sounds like you are cracking on with the kit days mrsrolly, is it weird being back? I'm a bit nervous about going back actually, I hope I've not lost my skills. Was watching university challenge the other night and I got 2 questions wrong which should have been easy with my field of expertise! Perhaps I need to revise before I return

Becks nothing wrong with a bit of pink for Ben! Twas traditionally a boys colour I believe. I'm very jealous you've been on the beach too, looks like lovely weather. I'm looking forward to some nice family days out when the weather is better here- no chance this week it's peeing it down and v windy here.

Glad you are making progress with naps primary tho I'll keep my fingers crossed for better nights for you. I can't see any harm in giving Annie cow's milk for those 3 feeds a week, I'm sure the 'missing' nutrients could be supplemented in solid food form if needed.

Anyone got any ideas for a gift I can get for a baby who is being dedicated? I'm not religious myself and I'm not intending on getting a religiousy type present but I'd like to get something nicer than the usual clothes that I'd normally get as a gift. Something like a special book perhaps? Or keepsake.

Must dash- E isn't settling well tonight, think it might be teething pain still

Hi mummies. We bought the nutri bullet baby at the weekend. Really impressed with it and it makes puree' s so easy. Anyway been back into morrisons today and its reduced again down to £17 (£50 on amazon). They have reduced other stuff that was in the baby event too. Worth looking. D enjoyed his sweet potato, red pepper and cheese dinner we made. Hoping to make up more and freeze. Xx

Hey,

Sunday, it is actually ok. I haven't done a full day though, just mornings or afternoons and then today I covered a meeting. I have put all my days through HR though as I am going to do some at home projects as well as a couple more full days, a client lunch and a few more meetings. My role is ops manager so it makes sense to be involved at planning for next year so I can hit the ground running when I get back.. I have also remembered actually all the things my job entails but I am thinking I may be able to have it under control but only time will tell with that.. I am going to have to get back on the organisation train to avoid going crazy ha ha

There is a lovely print compay on fb called perfect little prints which seem reasonable, I am going to order some so can let you know quality if you like. Depending on when you need it for!

We have had a stressful evening here, husband is out at Stewart Lee and Niamh has to have 6 flavoured and shaped rolls in school for bake off tomorrow.. She was in a netball tournament for school which didn't finish until 5.30 (after playing 8 games) and was supposed to be at her club netball at 6. I realllly wish I had a glass of wine in the house. The stupid dough is proving overnight and we have to be up early to bake the stupid rolls stupid stupid stupid. Ha I am not at all grumpy about whoevers smart idea it was for 9 and 10 years old to bake bread on a Wednesday evening.

The backwards crawling is coming along nicely. I put him on his play mat to play with his toys 😂

Very funny Julf!!

I don't envy the early morning baking Rolly!!

We took Ben swimming today for the first time. He loved it. The pool we went to is really warm. On one side it's got an area with all different jets/fountains coming out of the ground. He loved crawling through all of them and he loved just floating about in his rubber ring. We were in the water for more than an hour. Hoping he sleeps well tonight.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=V7bTQsU_4Mo
Worth checking this out, re car seat safety 😬

Ah yes...

Thanks for the perfect little prints recommendation mrsrolly there's some lovely ones on there. How did the rolls turn out in the end?

Julf poor Jasper, it must be so frustrating for him! E is just desperate to get on the move and can't quite do much apart from turn in a circle and then get angry.

Becks we've still not been swimming yet! Hoping to take him soon with DH for back up but it's hard to time it round his nap and feeding times.

E is 7 months today and so much fun at the moment (apart from when he's teething!) It's such a shame to be thinking of going back to work soon, babies are soooo much more interesting after 6 months and I'd gladly have missed out the newborn bit of mat leave to have more time with him now :(

Still waiting for teeth to appear but he's been very chatty recently and we've had 'mama' and 'dada' several times! We got excited even though I don't think it was in context

Hello all,

I'm so sorry for dropping off. Things have been so busy. I'm finding it harder now than when G was a newborn! She's is crawling and her big sister thinks she's a toy so I'm constantly having to watch them. We've also been ill a lot! The girls still are, so I'm getting little sleep and am a grumpy, impatient mum by the end of the day! My thrush is not clearing up and they can't figure out why. I've been to GP four times now and last week after mote antibiotics they've said maybe start to think about formula. So we've got a lactose free one and G is taking a bottle in the morning and keeping it down. Hurray! So think I'll slowly move her daytime feeds to it and carry on BF at night and first thing.

I'm going to try catch up on everyone's news and reply properly, but going back to sleep now!

Julf I saw your message thank you, I couldnt figure out how to reply as I'm ridiculous 😂

Here's my not so little G!

Anna how cute is G!!!
My older daughter is mostly good with Ben but can be rough and pull him around.

We're doing well with weaning. I've managed to get Ben onto a lunch of a sandwhich, fruit, yoghurt and baby crisps. He's managing really well with minimal waste and he seems to like doing it himself. He had cheese on toast yesterday which he seemed to enjoy. Trying to get this sorted before I get back to work so it's easier for DH. (He hates the mess of spoon feeding!)

Sleeping seems to have improved now he can put his own dummy in. He can go 7.30-7:30 either sleeping through or with 1 wake up (usually when he can't find his dummy!) long may it continue!!!

Finally managed to get back on here and catch up! As many of you have said, it's so much harder now the babies are mobile, and in Ruben's case barely sleeping during the day. I'll attempt to reply properly today but for now - Whatser, congratulations! What a gorgeous little baby! So thrilled for you.

I'm still having a mare breastfeeding - still bleeding from one side, plus ended up on antibiotics for possible mastitis. Don't think it is mastitis now but hey ho. Referral to breast clinic again to double check the bleeding is just from feeding. Definitely going to introduce some formula soon!

Hello ladies

Sunday, I've probably missed the boat - is a dedication like a christening? For my friend's little girl I got a little silver necklace. It had a tiny pendant on it which was a key with a heart-shaped handle. Really lovely and delicate. It was the right size for when she's grown up (I decided on that rather than something she could wear as a child and then not be able to fit later - I don't like giving gifts that just sit in a drawer forever). For a boy I find it harder. I guess the equivalent would be cufflinks, but that's not everyone's taste. I like something with St Christopher - patron saint of travellers. A silver picture frame is always a nice present for either gender. Anyway, if you've bought it already, let us know what you got!
How's the teething?
I totally agree with you about how I'd happily have skipped the newborn stage and have more time off with him while he's nearly a year old - so much more fun now. In fact, (as someone who really struggled with the newborn stage) I was actually pondering (hypothetically!) how many drug-free childbirths I'd be willing to go through in exchange for not having to go through the first month of newborn. I decided it would be somewhere around half a dozen. Honestly. Scary thought.

Hi Birchy! Mmmm, sweet potato, red pepper and cheese sounds amazing! Can I come round for supper?! 😃

Rolly - glad work is going ok.

Becks - your pool sounds awesome - glad he enjoyed it! Rubber ring - what a great idea! Did you buy it or did it belong to the pool? Can you send us details of make/model/size? Thanks!
Wow, I'm so impressed with your weaning success. Ben sounds very advanced all round.

Anna, wow G is just so totally adorable! Love that smile, and the expression in her eyes. She looks as if she has a wicked sense of humour.
Gosh, I'm sorry you're finding things so tough at the moment. I guess with two it's on a totally different level. I can't imagine how people cope. So sorry to hear you've been unwell too. And the thrush. Poor you. I hope things get easier for you soon.

Bluebs - sending you lots of boob-love again 😔

Ha ha, I just noticed the picture I posted on 24th Feb and realised that, if you don't click on it, the writing isn't visible - so it looks as if I just totally randomly posted a picture of someone on the toilet. Creepy! 😂

Things are good here on the whole. I've been actively starting to think about my return to work. Had my first KIT day this week - it was just to meet my manager to talk about my return date etc. As they aren't keeping my specific job open for me, I've been starting to update my CV etc so I can apply for other roles. I've quite enjoyed it so far - it's quite nice to be back in the professional headspace, even if it is just sitting at home prepping answers to questions like "Tell me about a time when you've established a good relationship with a difficult customer"...

Jasper has now started crawling forwards, a little bit. He's lots of fun at the moment. Very chatty when he feels like it, but very thoughtful/watchful most of the time. He loves his doorway bouncer and will happily spend ages there (especially if there's stuff going on around him). I'm keen on it too as it means he's getting exercise. (Not that I feel the need to exercise my baby per se, but I guess it's good to build up the leg muscles. And keep the bowels moving.) Bedtime has become a bit frustrating - he just crawls around and plays with stuff (e.g. the slats of the crib) for ages, and is so distracted/stimulated that he stops being sleepy. He'll often play around for about half an hour and then take another half an hour to get to sleep once he stops playing and starts grizzling. So I'm in there for about an hour, often. Today we're going to buy a cot (because he can now pull himself to standing in his crib, so it isn't safe any more), which will be good but it'll be a shock for him as he's used to the co-sleeper crib where he basically spends most of the night in our bed nuzzling. Need to break that habit - not that I dislike the concept, in fact I'm very keen on it - but there's just not enough room in the bed any more, plus it would be nice to have us-time iykwim.

Weaning is progressing, albeit slowly. He consumes a decent amount now, and keeps it down, which I'm really pleased about. I haven't yet had the guts to move him back to solid-solids though. We've got a dietician appointment in about ten days' time (because of the eczema) so I probably won't introduce too many more new foods before then, and will see what they say. The eczema (although still there) is much better than it was, thanks to various creams and oilatum, so I'm inclined not to start cutting out cows milk etc at this stage.

I'm going to see Jackie tomorrow, at baby cinema. Haven't been for ages (actually I've only been twice in nearly 8 months - not sure why, or where that time has gone). Really looking forward to it.

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend xx

Here's a picture of Jasper playing the guitar 😎

Oh, two other things:

J did his first solid poo this week. I was overjoyed at the prospect of less mess. But I was less than overjoyed that evening when he was having a bath and produced the longest, yuckiest poo-snake you can possibly imagine. It broke into three, and the three poo-snakes floated around menacingly. I thought it would be a good idea to fish them out with a plastic tub. But of course, then I was just stuck with a tub full of water and poo-snakes. What exactly was I going to do with that - sieve it? So I had to fish out the poo-snakes with my hands. Totally disgusting.

Finally, and less disgustingly, today J worked out how to use his sippy cup - the one with the rubber seal. So I'm going to let him practise with it over the next few days, and then hopefully he'll be ready to drink formula out of it. Here's hoping!

Have a good week, all xx

Hi Julf this is the rubber ring we got for Ben. It's great because he doesn't need to be held. He liked floating around chewing on it. I think I payed £16 in boots, I think they also do them in Argos. It's comes in 3-12months and 12-18 months.
Love the poo snake story. We've not had any poo's in the bath yet! But God don't they stink now they are weaning!!