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

Thanks for the link julf - some good ideas!

Thanks sunday and ruby - the next weigh in is a week today (they're fortnightly) since the weekend I've cut down on formula and tried to increase BFs again- only the bottle at 7pm and I've added one after lunch (helps him nap!) . I have cut giving him any Breast at 7pm, as I'm out a few evenings a week. I'm going to see how I go with this for now. Still 3-4 feeds a night but out of laziness I'm persevering with boob.
I would go to a group ( and I'm on the local FB page) but they're very 'pro' breast feeding and I don't want to feel bullied into not giving formula (as I'm not that against it, I just don't feel ready to completely give up yet)
Anyway hoping to keep some feeds going til nearer 6 months .. we shall see

ruby gorgeous!!! What an outfit!

becks Hmm about the nappies.. i definitely don't have the receipt though? I bought from Tesco if it makes any difference do you think?

sophie I do use the TV and George really quite enjoys it! He sits in his chair or jumperoo with baby TV on- he's transfixed. It's a god send when I'm making dinner for the others. Re sleeping we can't do much more than 2 hours but often just a little 10 min cat nap. We are ok at going down at night but never happens at any other time of day!

Has anyone got any cute Christmas babygrows / dress ups?!

primary that's so typical! They are little monkeys. I've bees trying the HIPP organic one. I read it didn't smell as much as the others?! Grace refusing it now though. She's full of a crappy cold and just wants boob!

mrsrolly you can get Milton tablets that allow you to sterilise In cold water if you've not got a microwave?

ruby how is H? I hope he's better.i do love murder she wrote. The woman has so many friends associated with murders! He's so gorgeous! Love the outfit!

cookies I started giving DD1 bottles at 6 months as she was so distracted feeding! I used to sit there with my boob out for bloody ages! I carried on breastfeeding her morning and at in the evening for three months. I find BF easier at night, and am a bit lazy! Oats are a good way to get supply
up. That's why I eat hobnobs

sophie I've just started popping Grace on her chair in front of baby tv for 10/15 mins so I can play with DD1 or tidy up / make food. I don't see anything wrong with it but I have a friend who thinks it horrendous to let them watch tv. I don't really see why?! They're just looking at the colours and lights? I do try do after a sleep and feed before they get tired as it keeps Grace awake! Can barely get her to sleep in her cot when I rock her and lay on top off her and leave my jumper behind so I'm a long way off putting her down drowsy.

indians Hallie is gorgeous. Damn those mattress people! I reckon you'll get something quickly though. She's got such a unique look and they'll love it!

Re feeding... little piglet is still feeding almost non stop still lol. I thought it had reduced by everyone keeps commenting on ie much it is. Think I'm just used to it and she's getting quicker. I could do with more sleep at night though, but no chance with this cold! The only advantage to all the feeding is I'm barely watching my diet and still losing weight! I'm going to try make some changes though as would love to drop half a stone for Christmas.

Re Christmas outfits I've got some blade and rose Xmas pudding leggings from DD1 last year that my long legged lady will fit into. Super cute! Prob won't crack out till December though?! Have got the girls matching tops and headbands for Christmas Day as I'm sad!!!

15 weeks ... I think?!

Cookies Are they tescos own brand? Might be worth asking next time your in. If you want to move up a size I guess a local food bank might be greatful for the ones you've got left?

Who knew babies could plank???

becks wow Ben is strong!!!! I'm so impressed, Annie just sucks the carpet during tummy time.... foolish child

anna have now been advised by health visitors to take the bottles and - quote "bin the bloody lot". She's given me one of those Tommie tippee cups with the flip up lid. Annie's still feeding quite a bit too, and at night . Grace is sooo gorgeous :)

cookies you've done a fab job, I second oats for boosting milk supply. Just do whatever makes you happiest, George will be happy as long as you are. I'm so with you on the breastfeeding at night - If we didn't cosleep I would have no sleep. Like a max of one hour broken up - none of that thanks!
Dp's scan is on Friday so won't have results for a while yet :(
indians Hallie looks gutted loving the quiff

julf thanks for the link, you've reminded me I need to ring the health visitors tomorrow and book on to a weaning course!

sophie I occasionally put David Attenborough on and Annie on the carpet then nip outside for a coffee and a mumsnet for 5 mins peace!

Well crafty lot - I've made the first set of xmas presents, some white chcolate, cranberry and pistachio biscotti! They were yum, stuck them in the freezer and will get them out closer to xmas. Also have had a brain wave with the bauble - lif you've got a bobby, lie the baby over it on their tummy and put paint on their hand, wave the bauble in front of them and let them go to grab it - hand print! I'll see if this works tomorrow and report back - I suspect it won't lol

becks that's AMAZING! Totally adding this to my baby bootcamp mentioned down-thread haha.
The nappies are pampers after another poonami explosion today I've resigned myself to the fact they're going to our local food bank - great idea

anna I was stuffing my face with oaty lactation cookies but I ran out of effort to make them! He's SO distracted, takes a lot to get him to latch on these days :( quite frankly with the other two to contend with I do struggle. That pic of Grace is absolutely gorge!! That face!! And yes to the matching festive tops! So cute. I'm buying my girls matching festive pjs especially!

primary wow!! That's very impressive. Sounding very yummy too. Good luck on the bauble! I think mine were quite successful (currently off to be fired so will attach photo once I get it back!) sound you on the co sleeping!

Talk to me about your perfect prep machines ladies.. definitely worth the price tag? Also is anyone aware of any upcoming deals maybe Black Friday related?? I've been watching them on Amazon and have actually gone up by £10 in the last week!!! Outrage!

Cheery Mo is so scrumptious! Eek to the MIL comparisons! Mine is larvly but I am nonetheless grateful her other child is also a son! Oo guys it just hit me... One day we may be a tribe of MILs! Haha, the book is truly badly written at the moment, I promise you. Nice to have a focus though.

Ruby that temp would have freaked me too. How is he now?

Anna I think you deserve that wine! Also, I don't blow dry my hair ever... Maybe that's how I'm working up enough time to do stuff?!

primary poor you and poor DP. I hope the results come through asap and that all is well.

Rolly haha, my brother pretended to be a power ranger and shot at the vicar during the Christmas service when we were small. Peeeow, peeeow. Hopefully your DD hasn't done worse than that!!! Exciting news for your friend. I couldn't imagine emigrating!

sunday I feel your glacial book reading pain. The gimble gadget I bought has helped because it holds the book open for me so I can read while I feed. However, I am a muppet and started trying to read Franzen's 'The Corrections' which is a mega tome and not ideal for reading a few pages at a time while wrestling a baby on and off your boob. I am at page 496 and flagging. Starting to skim. Naughty.
Regarding weighing, in the red book it says to weigh babies of this age no more frequently than once a month as long as everything is normal.

Cookies I made the same mistake with size 3s. Bought a pack of 100, then had three poonamis in a row. Wah! He usually does big poos in the morning though, so I figure as long as he has size 4s on then, we can use up the 3s on the rest of the day.
Sorry you are finding the BF difficult again. Ruben goes through phases where he constantly unlatches - I tend to take him off entirely then and try again a bit later - but if you're worrying about weight you probably won't want to do that. Can you get any support from the NHS or from local groups?

Sophie my HV told us that the TV can be a bit over stimulating and that it's best avoided, so I have been avoiding! I'd imagine baby tv might be different though? We don't have a TV anyway - just watch stuff on the laptop so it's quite small. That said I do watch stuff sometimes while feeding - and I did a LOT in the early days - but I just have the volume on 1 or mute and subtitles on so that Ruben can't hear the gore / sex / shouting.
I frequently put Ruben down sleepy but awake. Sometimes that means he's crying, ha! Recently I have been popping a dummy in his mouth and that seems to help calm him down and send him off. He won't do it in the day at all though.

Indians better luck next time! Must be fun going to the auditions anyway? I'm imagining loads of stage mummies and it all being rather entertaining to eavesdrop on!

becks holy goodness that child is strong!

primary the biscotti sound delish. Well done you, Mrs organised!

I'm currently typing this under a tent made out of my duvet (so the light of my phone doesn't disturb Ruben) while humming Morningtown Ride to try to get him to fall asleep again. Motherhood!

Cookies I just reread that and it sounds like I'm pushing BF. I didn't mean it that way; I just thought that if you want to continue doing a bit of BF then maybe someone could help you work out a balance of BF and formula that you are comfortable with, rather than you struggling away trying to work it all out on your own. X

bluebell Annie has 'watched' game of thrones and the walking dead and the volume was deffo not off in my defence she's either feeding sleeping or facing me... oops!

(And lots of Pokemon in the early days when dp got a bit obsessed when it went on Netflix)

julf thanks for the weaning website, had a quick skim and have bookmarked for later. Been to a few weaning talks recently and I'm feeling more confident about what to do when the time comes. Hoping to hold off until 6 months but I suspect we might have to start earlier.

Indians good luck with the other auditions. Its a bit of fun and a day out and if anything comes out of it it's a bonus. E is still in size 2 nappies! Only 13lb 10 though and we've one pack left until I can switch to 3s.

Anna poor grace, poorly again. Gorgeous gummy smile though!

Primary that's well organised with the Xmas biscotti! Sounds lovely too. Not started any Xmas shopping yet Good luck with the bauble, could be very messy!

Cookies I didn't bother with a perfect prep. I'm 'naughty' and make bottles in advance and refrigerate. I make a couple in the morning and a couple in the evening so I end up using them within 12 hours anyway. Against official NHS guidelines but WHO says it's fine.

Bluebell I'm off to google a gimble gadget. Sounds like it could be something to ask Santa to bring me!

Cookies, I don't rate the perfect prep. I just do what the machine does but in a batch and keep them in the fridge. For a 6oz bottle I put in 6 scoops of powder, 3oz of boiling water give it a good shake to dissolve powder and kill nasties then add 3oz of cold tap water flash cool and stick in fridge. When needed bung in the microwave for 30 secs and give it a good shake. If we're going out for more than a couple of hours I take a sterilised bottle and a carton of SMA. My friend has the perfect prep and hasn't even used it yet and her baby us 20 weeks old.

Ben now gets around the living room at quite a speed, he's up on his knees and rocking too. It's a surprise as DD didn't crawl until about 9 months. I keep finding him stuck under one of our chairs shouting in frustration. It's a shame he can only go backwards!!

Becks Ben is a machine, excellent planking form as well ha ha He is also gorgeous!

Indians sounds quite full on! Sorry you didn't get it, hopefully next time. I am hoping in months/years to come to pimp Raffy out to Frugi for their catalogue quite a few of my buddies kids have been used and you get free clothes..

Primary I have yet to try the handprint am instead writing on them nicely and then attaching bells. They look pretty cool am going to let DD help me with the handprint (probably fist print realistically) because at least then when it goes really wrong we can laugh together about it for years to come ha. Also hope the scan goes well tomorrow.

Church went well I think aside from apparently not out loud laughing at one of their leaders singing voices ;) she was chosen to carry the flag so I think felt very important and like she should behave.

Anna we now have a microwave again, sent DH to buy it and its bloody massive no idea why he thought we needed a giant one. Sterilising happening today and pumping for Saturday night when Grandma is coming to babysit for a few hours for the first time!

Good work on the lit Bluebell I am cruising Kate Mortons recent offerings as they are so easy to read oh and Kate Mosse in fact it looks a bit at the moment like I only read books written by people whose name is similar to mine ;)

Julf that website is fab thanks for the link.

I assembled the highchair into baby mode yesterday and it looks good raffy can sit really well in it so we can loose the bumbo from the table and he can stare at our height instead of down on us for a few weeks yet ha

Raffy is around when the tv is on, currently not overly bothered unless it is Ice Hockey (for which he has hilariously accurate timing at being excited) or the simpsons... so much culture ha ha

I am seeing my boss next week about returning to work, I worked out my childminder fees (had a little cry) and now need to know sooner rather than later if they are open to me going back part time. Plus I can then call HR and they can let me know what my amended salary would be for 3 or 4 days so I can plan. Considering extending mat leave to a year then adding my holiday and bank holidays on (from this year) so I can get next August off again so I don't have to pay the nearly £100 (!!!) for both of them to be in childcare.

we have a nearly broken through front tooth here, I am a bit scared of feeding and teeth so going to have the put my big girl pants on ha ha my DD didn't have teeth until after I stopped feeding last time at 6 months.

What a few days, I'm so tired that my eyes hurt. The last two nights have been sleep from 11-2, awake for 3(!) hours, then sleep for another hour. Huey is happy again, but in all the temp & snottiness dramas seems to have decided that sleeping is for the weak. Luckily he's being mega cute, currently sitting next to me on the sofa chatting away to my other hand at the tip of his voice, and giving me the best baby hugs when I pick him up. Monkey.

Of course that's why you eat the hobnobs Anna, I eat the chocolate ones for the antioxidants

Indians a mattress, the glamour of baby modelling! Clearly they have no taste, good luck with the other auditions. Can't wait to see Hallie's face on something soon.

How's it going Cookies, any better this week? If it doesn't improve, there is absolutely nothing wrong with calling it quits, 4 months breastmilk is such a great start in life.

becks that boy is one determined little chap!! Loving the plank.

Excellent food crafting primary and what a great idea to bake something that can be frozen. Whenever I've tried sending homemade goodies have ended up baking at some ridiculous time of night 3 days before Christmas.

bluebell full on laughing at the tent, did it work?

Rolly, H loves the rugby! How do these boys know to like sport?! What fab news that you could stay off work until August.

Ordered a Christmas pudding sleep suit and hat combo from NEXT yesterday, suspect this may be the first of several outfits - everyone needs an elf one, yes? For wearing while we all watch Elf?

Epic poonami this morning, that'll teach me for running the supplies so low and having to buy emergency really cheap ones.

18 weeks and 5 days today, 13lb 8oz, smelling mainly of baby Vaporub, biscuits mummy had for lunch: 8.

It would be a very unexciting few months if I do stay off Ruby :) but at nearly £100 per day for them both to be in childcare I need to do my maths! But yes it would be lovely and living where we do there is a major advantage as the beaches are close and free!!

I have picked up a Christmas jumper and a cute Christmas set. We do Christmas Eve Pjs here so have those as well. Will resist putting him in them until December due to my own rules around Christmas not starting until dec 1st (my dd thinks this is super lame)

Indians - i just met up with some antenatal friends and their 6 month old babies are only just going into size 4s. Ruben is pretty big - he was 16lbs at 16 weeks - and although the 3s are okay for wees, they just aren't containing the big poos any more.

sunday I intend to hold out till 6 months too. I'm just reading a book on baby led weaning and it is fascinating. So, in the 19th century babies had just breast milk until they were 8 or 9 months old - at which point they were given bones or hard crusts to practise chewing!
Yeahhh get a gimble! It's not perfect but it's only a few quid and I find it v helpful.

becks cor blimey, that's impressive! Ben is clearly a mover and a shaker! I am terrified of Ruben getting mobile - our house is terribly un-baby-proof. God knows what I'm going to do with all the stuff we keep low down.

Mrs I'm glad church went well. Bless DD, good on her for being the chosen one for flag carrying!
I like the book theme - have you tried Kate Atkinson? ;) I would recommend her Jackson Brodie series!
Hope the babysitting goes well. And EEK to childcare costs. Because DH and I can be quite flexible about sharing childcare I've not looked into nurseries at all... Feeling very lucky on that front!

Oh Ruby, I hope that Huey's sleep settles down again for you soon. Bloody knackering isn't it? Loving the sound of the pudding outfit. And yes the tent worked a treat cheers!

We had a lovely swimming lesson this morning - it was the first time he's genuinely enjoyed it. Lots of smiles! And then I gave him a good bath at home to get the chlorine off and I floated him on his back for ages because he was loving it so much. Such a change from the little baby who screamed and clung to the sides of the baby bath with his feet just a few weeks ago!

One of my nipples is cracked and bleeding a bit again. Has anyone else had this issue ongoing? It's not too painful but I'm conscious that having a continual (albeit small) wound is probably not that great for me - especially as I'm hoping to breastfeed for at least twelve months!

A lovely ex colleague of mine babysat Ruben while I went to the gym today. He totally lucked out - she taught year one for bloody ages so he got treated to lots of songs and stories while mummy was working out!

I'm feeling pretty inspired by the baby led weaning stuff I've been reading. Anyone else planning to do completely BLW?

Sorry so quiet - I lost my phone a couple of weeks ago so am finding it harder to keep up.

Ooh Primary, I must read up on baby-led weaning. Pre-baby, I always thought I'd be the type of mother who would set the pace/framework/whatever, but now I'm all about the baby-led and the co-sleeping etc 😄
Keeping fingers crossed for you and DP re the scan.
Sorry to hear about the bad sleep. J is an absolutely beautiful sleeper, but I think it's only because we co-sleep (which he loves, and also means I don't need to wake for feeding).
I LOLed at "fuck it, I'm sleeping til she gets back"!
Re bottles, yes I read somewhere recently that as soon as they're ready for a cup it's good to try it.

Bluebs - glad you like the thermos mug idea. I actually gave one to a friend who's pg - much as it's lovely at a baby-shower to receive lots of very-cute-but-deeply impractical gifts (like fluffy bunny slippers for newborns), I decided to get her a bunch of stuff that she'll actually need! Clearly I'm getting very middle-aged!
Really interesting to hear about your approach to novel-writing.
I chuckled re 1000ml - aka a litre?! 😉
Shall we marry off all our babies to each other and then we can be MILs to each other's little darlings?!
Wow, I REALLY want to meet your bro now - peeow peeow! 😄 One of my friends had Father Christmas come to visit him at his primary school (when he was little), and he (my friend) pulled his (FC's) trousers down in front of the whole school. He (friend) had to change schools after that, for behavioural issues. (He didn't turn out too badly though - he's a uni professor now - corrupting the next generation!)
What is it that you watch, with all that gore/sex/shouting?! I thought you were a nice girl! 😄
Glad Ru's enjoying his swimming and baths. We love baths here, always have.
Sorry about your sore nip. Both of mine still have a little star/cross in the middle (which I assume will be permanent), but not sore.
What book have you been reading re BLW? I'd like to read up, ideally before I go to my next instalment of Nct indoctrination - I've signed up for a weaning class in December.
Glad your ex-colleague was a success at babysitting. My lovely SIL and 7yo niece babysat last night, and everyone survived, so we're pleased to have increased our bank of potential babysitters.

Bluebell/Rolly - nurseries near us are £100 per day PER CHILD! We're going to arrange a nanny-share because it's more affordable (and actually we'd prefer it anyway). Seems the wrong way round, eh? Crazy world (city).

Cheery - what a lovely cheeky little imp!

Ruby - hope H is much better now?
Re sleeping, Jasper is a sociable little beast. He enjoys sleeping but ONLY if it's a group activity! So, at night (usually co-sleeping) it's great (and I barely notice when he wakes for feeds - I just roll over, give him a boob, and then we both drift off again). But evenings aren't any good for sleeping, unless mummy and daddy decide to have an early night too. Gina Ford would have a heart attack, but for now I'm just going with the flow... 😊

Anna - I don't doubt for a moment that you're the coolest aunt ever 😄
Thanks for reassurance re feeding, yes I'm going to go with the flow on that too! 😊
Re biscuits, I had some fig rolls the other day. The packet said that one helping = two biscuits. I ate ten . You're very convincing re the hobnobs 😄

Sunday - ha! Really laughed re your book race with Bluebs. Took me right back to primary school maths classes!
I think I last had Jasper weighed in around august. He looks plump and healthy though 😄
Re your line that "I figure he will regulate his naps depending on what he needs that day" - that's the most sensible piece of parenting advice I've ever read and should be applied to all aspects of a baby's life. Gina Ford go f yourself! 😂

Cookies - haven't been swimming yet but I will soon. Have been absurdly busy! Jasper has a very busy social life 😂 Have you been swimming now?
I wish I hadn't bought so many size 3 nappies either - J could comfortably move up to size 4 now but I'm determined not to waste them. Luckily this hasn't (yet) led to any accidents, but probably only because Jasper didn't poo for five days this week. Apparently that's "normal" (although unusual for us - usually it's every day so I was quite worried). Events on the fifth day were really quite spectacular 😝
Re feeding groups, maybe we should set up local formula-feeding groups?! There's clearly a gap in the market, and it's not as if new parents don't need help getting their heads round it!

Becks - Love the planking! And wow, crawling?! Super-baby!

Sausage - re phones, yes likewise, despite my initial shock about it I don't think I'll be able to give up (as demonstrated right now) as it's the only time I really manage to catch up on correspondence and on you guys!
Re TV, I often put the news on in the background, and I can't see a problem with that. And I sometimes put J in the bouncy chair in front of babytv - on average maybe once a day for about ten minutes. It gives me a chance to hang up laundry etc, and I also think it's really educational/developmental, as it helps babies with their language, recognition etc. As Anna says, there seems to be huge stigma re tv, but I genuinely think that the programmes available nowadays are very well researched in terms of their developmental abilities - it's not like just plonking children down in front of any old crap in the 80s. Having said that, I'd definitely limit time in front of the TV, as I'd prefer to give J more time exploring the actual world and interacting with real people.
In the evenings, if J is still up and we're chilling out in front of one of our TV programmes (he particularly likes the west wing!), then he'll see that too - not ideal but it'll stop once we implement a bedtime routine. We're going away in Feb-March to visit far-flung friends and family for a month, so I'm planning to establish a bit more of a routine after that, in time for my return to work (hopefully), after which there'll be no evening tv for J (she says optimistically!)
Re naps, it's normally two hours between each. J normally has three still. I don't know when that changes - haven't read my baby books for ages!
I have never achieved the put-down-sleepy trick. J is too sociable and too much of a ninja for that - he likes to be in the same room as us, and when he does fall asleep, it's normally with one eye open just in case we try to pull a fast one 😄

Indians - I know what you mean about how big the babies are. Especially when I see "new" babies. I already think of J as a little boy/toddler rather than a baby.

So, DH has had another massive breakthrough with bonding in the last week or so. I'm so happy about it. They're so cute together now, and they have lots of fun playing silly games. And my life now seems several times more relaxed/easy because I no longer feel I need to bear everything on my shoulders. Things have finally come together, which is a real relief. And as a result, our (mine and DH's) relationship has improved too - lots of laughing and silly fun, a bit like when we first met 😊

Haha julf, I nearly typed a litre but I felt it would somehow be wrong to mix my units of measurement when we were initially talking about ml!
In other church misdemeanours, my brother also insisted on wearing power rangers gloves to his own christening. (We chose to be christened as older children - then promptly both became atheists in secondary school. Whoops.)

Oh my life, the Father Christmas story is wonderful. I hope he tells his students.

I watch loads of things with gore/sex/shouting! The main one was The 100 on Amazon Prime, though. DH got very into Vikings just before Ru was born, but it was a bit too sexy and too gory for me.

My sore nip has a little downturned smile at the moment, which does amuse me. Sad nipple.

The book is BLW by Gill Rapley, who coined the term in the first place. There aren't many research papers referenced, which is a bit annoying when she says 'studies show' - I would like to look the studies up! But generally it seems practical and sensible, and I feel far more confident about weaning already and I'm only halfway through reading it. I was thinking about doing an NCT course in Dec too but I think I'm happy enough with the book now.

I honestly don't know how people don't go with the flow with babies and sleeping. There is no way on this earth that I can make Ruben nap if he doesn't want to! However ladies, major breakthrough on the night sleeping - he did 7pm till 4.15am last night. Best sleep we've had in ages. Did result in me being soaked from neckline to hem when I woke up though. Duvet didn't fare too well either!

OMG primary school maths races... Did you have the SPMG coloured books? I remember everyone always being nosey about what everyone else was on! Such a far cry from how we teach maths these days... I don't actually remember being taught any maths in school. I'm sure I just read the books and got on with it myself!

Oh god, a five day poo? Not sure I could face that. Ru's after he's stored them up overnight are potent enough!

So glad to hear about the breakthrough with DH. Here's to a lovely relaxing Christmas for your little family!

So I've spent a couple of days this week editing, and am pleased to report that my brain still appears to work. Hurrah! I don't know how people cope when they have to go back to work before this. I know two teachers who went back when their kids were seven weeks old - holy crap. I just would not be functioning.

I do feel like I've missed out on Ruben at the end of an editing day though - even though I see him regularly for breast feeds. Funny how fast I've got used to having my little man around me all the time! He is freaking adorable at the moment. So smiley. And he loves hiding under cloth to play peepo. His arms and legs wave madly - he gets so excited! I just feel lucky every single day. It's lovely. Thank god DH came round to the idea of having kids, eh?!

Thank you for all your kind words re feeding ladies. It means a lot. I feel like people in RL get sick of me. We are still BF at night, and a few little 'snacks' in the day. Probably 2-3 bottles a day?

julf i'm beaming for you, that's such great news. I know what you mean about a weight being lifted. Here's to many more happy times ahead - especially your first Christmas as a little family.
Yes I took him swimming on Weds after the gym (put him in the crèche for the first time!) called it our little 'workout Wednesday!'

becks he really is super baby! So strong. Thanks re the perfect prep - people I know rave so much I felt like I was stupid for not having one. After reading the reviews and that the cold water isn't sterile I thought sod it- we have a filter tap so surely it's the same as the machine?!

sunday I've made up bottles with my others but it seems like the bottle police these days and really not the done thing?! My two did survive ..! Talking of guidelines .. I have always weaned before 6 months. My eldest was 17 weeks (hungriest baby you'll ever meet)

bluebell re BTW.. I love love love the idea of it, would love to do it, but in practical/reality terms I don't think I will. With my other two I have done a combination(?!) and encouraged to eat whole pieces whilst I'm also trying to shovel a bit in?!
No I totally got what you meant, you weren't pushing at all. I thought about seeking help but decided against it, only as I think I'll feel more pressure? Trying to keep a few bits of boob going for now anyway have been chuckling to myself at the thought of you under your tent!

mrsrolly also have been purchasing Xmas clothing! Guilty but not sorry! We must all upload lovely festive looking babies. WOW a tooth on the way?! This fills me with dread! You're sounding very organised. Will you go back in Sept all being well?

ruby thank you. I think as mums we need to hear more comments like that. We are 'going with the flow' for now. Ah so need a Christmas pudding outfit !! We got a little 'elf' set from Tesco the other day. Sorry to hear about the crappy sleep. Little buggers. Have they not got the memo yet?!

indians best of luck with the other auditions, you're definitely a braver mamma than me, I couldn't do it. She's so gorge I'd hire her every time. The size 3s 'fit' they just aren't containing any poos, and they seem 'full' of wee very quickly. Will be adding 4s to the shop next week...

Went to see our town Xmas lights turned on.. I do love the festivities all the children loved it. And George isn't scared or shocked by fireworks one bit. Must be the 3rd child syndrome again !!

Primary - sorry, I just re-read my line about J sleeping and realised it made me sound like a complete dick. What I meant was, I appreciate how lucky I am and am sending moral support to you/others who are having it tough with the sleeping I also think we might have a tough time when we finally try to kick J out of our bed 😳 - he's become quite a permanent fixture!

Bluebs - I snorted with laughter at your sad-faced nipple! 😟
Thanks for the BLW details.
Glad to hear that your brain is still working! I think I'll be fine intellectually (I've been keeping things going by reading the economist when I get a chance), but I think what I'll struggle with on return to work is my pace/urgency and my ability to get things done without getting distracted - I suspect my attention span has taken a bit of a beating, as it's so rare nowadays that I get a chance to start and finish a task in one go.
I felt so moved by your last paragraph. So lovely.

Thanks Cookies and Bluebs for sharing my joy re DH. And thanks to all of you for helping me get through the last few months. 2016 has been really tough for me emotionally, and you ladies have been my rock.

Sorry I've fallen off. Had my niece and nephew for the weekend and haven't stopped!

Doing some work tomorrow! Excited. It's from home and just some writing to help a friend out and get some Christmas pennies in. My sister is coming to watch Grace and we're going to try her with a bottle! I'll try update properly soon.

Hope everyone is well

Am I a bad mother?