Sept 06 Babies - trying to sit and roll....

[clairemow]

new thread here!

Where is everyone today?!!

I'm here! At last got a good night's sleep.. although DH got up at 4... DS1 doesn't seem to be showing any signs of going down with sickness yet. Phew...

Claire - glad you had a better night last night. I feel very tired today. DS hasn't slept through again since that night last week. MIL is making me acutely aware of her disapproval of DS going to nursery, she keeps asking how he has been at nursery and how long I have to work for in order to pay back maternity pay and before I can leave. I feel anxious enough as it is without extra guilt being piled on
Back to work on Wednesday for me, I'm dreading it. I spoke to a friend from work last night and I already feel myself being pulled back into all the office politics. (Nooooo)

Myrtle, I'm back on Weds too... Don't listen to your mother in law... I think I am a better mum for working a couple of days a week, as it doesn't all get on top of me so much and I have two days without worrying about naps, food, juggling the needs of two of them etc. etc. Just worry about them from a distance with DS2 (fear of him coming home really over tired having not slept at nursery...) But it means I can cope the rest of the time! Although office politics...

Hey Myrtle, I'm back in less than a month & feeling very sad Sod your MIL..honestly...nursery is great for them..as I've said they don't suffer moreover we do as mothers at having to leave them. Office politics...yuk! I popped in with J last Thursday to see a few people but as soon as I got in I could smell the stress & crapness of it all...I don't want to be part of that anymore.

Anybody else watching five life at the moment? I really want to discuss it but I can't can I??!! She'll have us shut down...grrrrrrrr

did watch some of the programme, caught the bit about Mumsnet. Thought it was interesting, but wanted to tell that couple in east London to just feed the baby in the middle of the night - where in the book does it say not to feed a baby in the night???!!! Still think it's misunderstood because of how it's written, and that's about all I can say on here....

Last day for me before taking F into nursery for the first time. I have a hair cut and colour and a massage booked for tomorrow (decided I couldn't face working on his first day so actually my first day of work is Thursday...). Maybe all that'll make me feel better. I wonder how many times in the day I'll phone....???

Well I completely missed it all as I was driving past Claire's house on my way home form my Nan's funeral - 3 sodding hours it took me to get from Weymouth to Bristol! Then only about 3 and a half to get to lancaster, we obviously have better roads up north...

Sorry I've not been on in a while- we've all be ill too, a rash on the tummy, cough, cold and achy joints - horrid! Just left with the achy joints now though so hopefully coming out of it.

Cori - well done with the dry (ish) nights - I'm not looking forward to that process at all. DS1 refuses to even try sitting on the potty at the moment.

Fairysnuff - sorry to hear about that lad, makes you so annoyed when it happens but sad too that his parents couldn't give a cr*p about what he gets up to. Hope the car wasn't too badly damaged.

Myrtle - ignore MIL, even better tell her that she's not helping and if she really didn't want the nursery could she do some childminding Nursery (as long as it's a good one) is really not bad for kids and as Claire says, I think part time work can make you a better mummy as I know I certainly appreciate the time I get with the boys more - and it keeps my mind active and I get to actually have conversation with other adults!

Mabel - sounds like a v cute babygro How's about this then (sorry!)

Thank you for all your supportive messages about MIL and nursery. Its tomorrow so today I'm getting all DS's things ready for nursery and sorting out what I'm going to wear to work so that I can hopefully make a speedy getaway in the morning. I plan to rise above all the office politics and just get on with work and then go home I will let you all know how it goes tomorrow night.
Claire - good luck for tomorrow and thursday.
It has been a beautiful day here and everyone seems very cheery and talkative. I love Spring

Good to hear you are treating yourself claire!!! F will be OK...but as we know you'll be in pieces...but (& this is the funny bit) it'll become like second nature in no time at all.. I've just heard that I'm having my first meeting re flexible working next Tuesday - that makes it 34 days since they've had my letter & I'm due back 2nd April - feeling rather het up about it tbh. Wish I had more options....why don't we like Mothers in this country?

ooo liquid - here was i thinking you'd posted a link to show me an equally cue babygro!!!!

I mus apologise but the 'T' key is toally knackered on this keyborad.

Good luck to all reurning to work soon - i have to say i don' miss it, particularly the office politics.

Jus wondered if anyone has dropped any feeds ye - no sure was it brisols who said the 11 o'clock one had been dropped. DS2 showing no signs of dropping any feeds, and I am sure DS1 had by his stage.

DS1 has been at pre-school today and asking to go to he toilet whilst he's there. He doesn't do it at home, he is sill in nappies, no sure whether to bite the bullet and try potty training. ....Can i ask those of you who've been through potty training what signs prompted you to start.

Mabel - Yes it was us who'd dropped the 11pm feed. I just stopped it dead! He wasn't showing any particular signs. The first night, he woke for it, so I fed him but the second night he slept through and has done ever since. Its really lovely as it means we can go to bed early should we choose

Liquid - sorry to hear about your nightmare journey. Hope the funeral went ok.

Claire - hope it goes OK tomorrow. Will be thinking of you. I'm not going back to work until August but am hoping to get LO into nursery before that so that we can both get used to it. I'm sure it'll be easier to get him into in now rather than when he's nearly a year (!) old.

I'm nervous about the flexible working too. I know I have a long way to go but its unsettling, isn't it?

Cori - have you agreed on a holiday yet? We're hoping to get some sun in April but nowhere booked yet. We're off to France in the summer.

In fact, LO and I are off to France again next week to visit my parents. Really looking forward to it. Have been a bit down the past few days. I had tonsillitis and then an ear infection and I still have no hearing in my left ear. I'm also feeling lethargic and just not myself. Its dragging on and on (started three weeks ago)and I'm really fed up. Started on some antibiotics today so we'll see. The sunshine does make it a bit better though. And my lovely DH is fab as ever. We went shopping today and he gave me a £500 budget to spend on whatever I liked! What a treat! Having said that, I only managed to spend £130 on some shoes, undies (pretty, underwired bras. The joy!) and a top. Must ask him if the budget was transferrable. And he bought me flowers yesterday. I'm so lucky.

BTW, I have a bugaboo, ladies. Just so you know!!!!

bugaboo??!!!! Hmmmmm....

hey all,

LOL at the buggaboos Liquid and Bristols! They look far too trendy (and pricey!!!) for me (I have an old Maclaren which I love, and a red Phil and Teds, which I also like, but am using less and less as DS1 prefers his buggy board at the moment. Might sell it on ebay...).

Bristols, your DH sounds wonderful! Think we're all pretty lucky, but I am imagining what I could do with £500 and some time in a lingerie department....

Mabel - potty training, those sound like the signs I waited for with DS1. He's been in pants since last July now, and very few accidents now, only when he's really immersed in something else (not often then... . Give it a go for a day and if it's a total flop, wait another couple of weeks and have another go. Don't stress about it though, it isn't worth it.

And on the late night feed - Fraser dropped his at about 21 weeks I think. We gradually reduced it by an ounce every couple of nights over a couple of weeks, and figured that if he could sleep from 7-7 with a feed of only 2 ounces at 10, then he didn't really need it. We were right! He hasn't once woken for it. I guess they're all different though. DS1 (who was a MASSIVE baby, and was bigger than Fraser now is when he was only 17 weeks...) refused it totally from 13 weeks and slept through from then. whenever I mention it as I know it was incredible...

Talking of sleeping, he does have a habit of waking up around 4 ish and chortling away to himself. No crying, no distress, just cooing to himself. Then he goes back to sleep. It's quite cute, except when you're sharing a room with him....!!!

Liquid, what a shame you couldn't stop and say hello down my neck of the woods! Let me know if you're ever down here again! The motorways around Bristol can be a nightmare, so I'm glad you got home ok.

Well, I've packed F's bag for tomorrow. I am so not looking forward to it. It's such a long day for him I think. He still gets really really really arsey late afternoon quite often, so I'm going to get him early so if he hasn't had much sleep, I can take him for a walk in the buggy to get DS1 and he can have a snooze if he needs one.

Fairysnuff, sorry I didn't say anything yesterday about your car. for you. What a cheek. Sounds like an ASBO in the making?

Sorry this is so long.

Cori, calm yourself, calm yourself!!! You don't want to get a reputation for being argumentative now... !!!!!

Good luck to everyone going back to work
lol @ bugaboos - I think they look like something out of outer space
I can't beleive all our lo's six months or coming up for it. Dd will be six months next week so it's out with the baby rice and in with the full fat cow's milk, cheese, weetabix etc etc. So far she doesn't seem very impressed by my attempts at pureeing carrots so hopefully 'real' food will go down better
Clairemow - dd also wakes at 5amish chattering to herself and then goes back to sleep, hurrah!

Oh, I wish DD went back to sleep at 5am (or 3 or 4 or even 2 the other morning!)
Mind you , she does go back to sleep once she has fed, so I guess I can't complain really.

I finally gave in yetserday, and gave DD some pureed apple. She Loved it!! I had been giving her little bits to hold and eat, but she was so keen yesterday that I relented.
Oh, dear the 'others' would not be happy She is only 24 weeks

Thought it would give me a good long sleep, but no such luck. She fell asleep before her last feed (normally 8ish) but woke at 11.30 for it and then 4 instead!!
Better luck tonight, maybe.

ooo - have i started somehing wih bugaboo's??! I quite like them, but rather expensive! I felt like a poor relation pushing DS2 round in his stroller and everyone else had the top of the range all singing all dancing...even makes you a cuppa and changes babies nappy bugaboo!!

Can't remember if i menioned but we (touch wood) cracked he early morning waking. IN fact he is sleeping later than DS1 some mornings.

I have decided to bite the bullet and potty train DS1..... at pre-school on tues the staff have started to get used to him appearing from the toilet with no nappy on and his trousers round his ankles...so I think it is time! We are starting friday so will let you know how it goes, any advice will be gratefully received.

hi everyone,

Mabel, congrats on the sleeping. Whoopee! On potty training, I know it's not warm out but if you can keep DS naked from the waist down as much as possible for the first few days it helps. My DS got it really quickly naked and after a few days we went onto pants and then trousers as well! Also, don't go back to nappies for going out or anything. Just keep reminding him to go to the toilet when you're out and about, and take 2 pairs of spare pants, trousers and socks everywhere you go! I was afraid that the puddles would be massive, but actually it's not so bad. Oh, and a "special big boy's towel" (!!) in his buggy and car seat, just in case...

Fairysnuff - at you! I'm not convinced that adding solids helps sleep... , esp if it comes with reducing milk intake.

Well, Fraser's first day at nursery was a roaring success (

oooh, got cut off mid message... it was a roaring success. He had more sleep there than at home - including a 2 hour early afternoon session. He came home in one hell of a great mood, laughing and giggling. Was I relieved or what. And when we went to pick up DS1, he didn't want to come home at all and said "Mummy, why are you here?". They were running races, girls against boys... he was busy twirling round at the back like a ballerina... . Anyway, although it's sad neither of them missed me, clearly, it is also fantastic and a huge relief.

And my hot stone massage was just delicious.

Right, I'll go before I annoy you all by being too cheerful. Tomorrow can only be worse...!!!

See claire, told you he'd be fine!!

Mabel, good luck with the potty training!! Echo what claire says really......once you start, no turning back & keep the nappies off!! Oh, don't buy those stupid pull up training things...total marketing ploy that's all. Just keep him in pants, he'll soon get the hang of it! DD wet the bed last night at 2am but other than that & the second day after we started we've had 5 dry nights!!! (Very proud of her..).

We still give Jack a dreamfeed at 11pm but been thinking whether we can/should drop it? DD dropped her 11pm bottle when she'd started solids at 5mths 2 weeks, so don't know whether we should wait or just not give it to him tonight & see? He's 25 weeks on Saturday & amazingly we haven't yet started introducing food!! Any advice welcome....he has approx 28-32oz a day.

Just to add with potty training. We kept ds in pants the whole time but we bought some plastic pants from Boots which we used on long journeys for the first few weeks. Ds loved them and called them his travelling pants
Another tip is to use Pampers disposable mats to put on car seat and pushchair just in case of an accident when out and about. Then you can just throw away the mat and the seat isn't soaked for the ride home.
We used Noddy and Scooby Doo stickers too which really encouraged him and I've heard choccie buttons work a treat too!
Off to watch the size zero programme now with my wine and hula hoops

lol wine and hula hoops!!

Cori, is Jack still ravenous in the morning for his milk, or is he losing interest? How much does he have at 11 pm? you could reduce the amount at 11 by an ounce every few days and see how he goes - less of a shock than dropping it altogether suddenly.

Both boys at nursery, and computer fired up for work, but somehow I am on here... . Must open work email... NOW!!!

claire - GET SOME WORK DONE !!!

great o hear abou he nursery - wha a relief for you.

Thanks for the potty training advice. We bought him another potty yesterday to keep downstairs and this morning he was in the living room still in pj's and me DH and DS2 were through in the kitchen., walked in to find he'd pulled down his trousers and nappy and done a wee - bless him, we start properly tommrow, as he is a his nan's today.

I am bringing DS's night feed forward and reducing it as well. He now has it at 10.30pm, he is not ravenous for his milk in the morning, so I think we can ge away wih dropping a few onces.

Hi everybody,

I abandoned this posting name due to a RL cyberstalker and will probably report this post for deletion later so that I can go back to being anonymous to RL folks whilst posting on MN.

ds2 is a fab baby so far and I just feel so lucky that all the worries I had about managing him and ds1 at bedtime have all come to nothing. He shares a bath with his big brother and mostly I just give him a bed-time bottle after that (takes about 10 minutes), burp him and fasten him into his sleeping bag and he's out like a light at 7.30pm. No fussing or crying like I had with ds1 when he was little.

He is a big boy and sometimes needs an extra bottle late at night if he hasn't taken enough fuel on board during the day. He started sleeping through from 7.30pm to 7.00am at about 12 weeks but a recent run of various minor illnesses has led to him waking in the night again for comfort although now he is taking more and more solids each day he is going back to sleeping through again most nights.

He sailed through all of his innoculations although they do seem to have triggered his eczema which is hereditary and I was pretty much expecting him to get anyway.

Right now he is rolling over lots, sometimes over and over so he gets from one side of the room to the other and he loves sitting up supported with a hand as he can grab at toys better that way. Ds1 was never happy on his tummy but this little chap loves having his head the right way so he always flips over to get a better view of the world.

Re the potty training, we had some reusable/washable pads that fitted in the bottom of the car-seat (or pushchair) which were sort of absorbant material on one side and waterproof backing on the other with a loop to secure them around the buckle bit. We had 2 so that if one got wet you could just pop in the wash and use the other one and they dried really quickly too. I think one of the baby products catalogues sells them but I can't remember which. I really recommend them because they were marvellous as far as taking away all the worry of "will he, won't he" wee in the seat.
Ds1 took a long while to get the hang of toilet training but we just had to train ourselves to remember to take him to the toilet often particularly when going out or even when just arriving at the destination. Oh and I did a LOT of washing but I drew the line at scraping out embedded poo so we bought really cheapo multipack pants from the supermarket and chucked away the worst poo episode ones just like a nappy.

Norms, a RL cyberstalker? - can you tell us anything about it, or is it too dodgy? Poor you, what a nightmare. And after we'd got to know you a bit too, what a shame.