********** December 2006 PART 2 **************

[castlesintheair]

Will this do?

Had best night in ages... dd was fed and went to bed at 7.30 and, as we went to bed knackered about 9.30 didn't wake her for a dreamfeed. She didn't wake until 1am ! Then lasted until 6am and even went back to sleep agin (after a bit of grizzling) until 9am. Not quite as good as babypowder but I too am one rested mummy this morning . Won't claim it is the baby rice - I know there is no evidence it helps sleeping (and she's been having it in the morning...). Day 3 of baby rice today - ate it all again, not quite as enthusiastically as yesterday but quite happily. Next stop carrot!

SachaF - I had a period of expressing after every feed when I felt my supply had dwindled a bit. It might help you build up a stock (I have half a drawful of bags of milk in the freezer but dd won't take a bottle so I am still needing to be there for every feed). Get really fed up washing up and sterilising the pump though! What sort of pump are you using? I was lent a battery powered Chicco one that I could only get 1oz out with (and that was painful). I then bought an Avent manual one which doesn't hurt at all and can often get 4 oz out in the morning.

Oli, don't worry - I have no intention of becoming involved in this situation (which probably sounds terrible) I want to speak to her DP to make it clear that I'm not here to look after their children when she's drunk. I will, of course, say that there are people who can help them, in terms of counselling and support, but that I do not have the necessary skills/knowledge to do that for them.

(And you're not being bossy at all. Far from it!

Hey, BP, sorry to be chipping in so late...and sorry you're in such a tricky situation. FWIW, I think yo'ure doing exactly the right things - and hats off to you for speaking directly to your neighbour: if anything can help an alcoholic hit bottom and seek help faster, its a bit of reality. The real killer is denial. Just wanted to add (though am sure you're aware of this already) that her DP may also have a lot of denial and not want to hear what you're telling him...or hear it, then blank it...but if he's open to getting help for the family, I'd mention AlAnon to him? Good luck, think yo'ure doing great and being an excellent neighbour - and looking after yourself by not taking it all on is part of that, BTW

dd2, my little, quiet, floppylarynxed one, has found her voice. Big time. All I hear are squawks of (mostly) joy and (occasionally) frustration, punctuated by high pitched squeaks, chortles, and 'ah ah' noises. Its adorable, but omg, noisy

I've caught the dds' cold. Other than that, things are running fairly smoothly and I'm hoping I can be organized enough for us to head off successfully on Wednesdsay for our week in Torquay-via-Axbridge... tbh, am dreading the packing. Hate, hate, hate packing. Any tips?!

LittleMIss, my dd1 had problems feeding on one side...in the end, I took her to a cranial osteopath: one treatment (he said she had a cricked neck, or whatever that would be called in a baby) and she fed equally on both sides. Might be worth a try??

GS, definitely (a)

eli, ds2 has just (yesterday) turned into the world's noisiest baby, it's like having a parrot in the house. I assume they're noises of happiness, but my god does he make a racket!

Sorry girls been a bit tied up. Welcome Littlemiss

Well after a crappy week it got better but now tax credits have had a problem paying money in so its all turning crappy again Have to go to the local tax office and demand an emergency payment Feels like begging although it's money owed to us.

ds1 is a stroppy bubs as usual and the older kids are fighting like cat and dog, ho hum welcome the easter holidays

BP,Sounds like a tricky situation and I am not sure what I would do to be honest.

((Magnolia)) just what you don't need the week before the holidays...it IS your money though, through and through: don't let your mind tell you otherwise! Hope the holidays get better each day...have to admit, am utterly daunted at the thought of them myself

AQ, can't help wondering what our parrots would do if put in same cage - oops, playpen (not that we have one yet, but have to admit I'm planning on it, if only to protect her from dd1's joyous attempts to dress her up as Angelina Ballerina). I think we'd have to resort to earplugs

Eveing All,

Oli sounds like what my DD was like before her spots appeared, quiet, sleepy, off her food, crying at the smallest of things. If it is CP, once the spots come out she she should be more herself. DS still has no spots - but we are being shunned by friends and family just incase. So missing DN Christeneing tomorrow and PG's friends party - better safe than sorry.

Had a lovely afternoon though, both DC's quite sleepy (think D might have ear infection now ) so all 3 of us cuddled on our bed and fell asleep while watching Dr Dolittle this afternoon while DH was out wathcing footie! He came home to find us there and left us alone and tidied the lounge - aww what sweetie!

DC's now both more or less settled and DH has gone out for akeaway which will be enjoyed with a nice bottle of wine!

Can't join in the expressing convo - although have to say I was totally intrigued watching my nipples when I was trying it for DS this time.

CP in LO's sounds horrible, I was lucky ds1 was over 1 when he got it and it wasn't too bad. I too have been thinking of spina, NM & mardy, I do fear that the news must have been v.bad on hester for her not to come back It seems so long ago that we were all complaining about pregnancy symptoms.

Eli, I don't think we could hear ourselves talk with 2 of the little screechers in the room! We were having dinner with ds1 tonight (ds2 was in his pram next to me) and I couldn't hear a word either of them were saying. Everytime I look at him he squawks again! Did you get on with cloth nappies btw or decided to give it away completely?

AQ, that was my thoughts on Mardybum too but I'm hoping I'm wrong.

Had a quick nosy on the new Due in Dec thread - can't believe it was a year ago for all of us, panicking about getting to 12 weeks, moaning about sore boobs, morning sickness, etc. Ah, those were the days.

Ds1 has been an utter nightmare today, hyperactive, stroppy, screaming over the tiniest thing. I lost my rag with him at bedtime when he refused to cooperate again, put him to bed with no cuddle, story, teeth brush (which is a BAD THING because he loves having his teeth brushed) and, crucially, no toilet trip. STUPID, STUPID, STUPID cross mummy. Cue 5 mins of ear piercing screams, dh went in to calm him down and he'd peed all over his bed. Typically the waterproof sheet wasn't on because I'd washed it a couple of days ago so it's all soaked into his mattress, duvet, pillow............GGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRR! More sodding washing!

On the plus side, ds2 has been more settled again today, guess he's getting over his bug.

Magnolia, hope you get the TC sorted soon - useless lot, aren't they.

Eli, ds2 is a chatty lttle soul too, all gurgles and coos.

BP, how did you get on with your neighbours?

Ah, Oli, poor you and poor ds! Commiserations, and empathy: have had similar afternoon with dd1 - both of us tired, but her (IMO ) behaving much worse because of it, all over M&S and Mothercare.

In fact, wonder if she's coming down with CP?!? nope, just a tired three year old, I think...

LFM, hope your LOs are better soon!

Also wonder how Mardybum's Hester got on...hope, hope, hope better than expected. I still get flashbacks to the week in hospital, hate to think what Mardy has been/is going through

AQ, suspect my parrot is thoroughly enjoying her ability to squawk - she seems to do it for the sheer joy of it, then looks sort of surprised and pleased. Given that dd1 can talk hind leg off donkey, dread to think what the future holds

I'm hopelessly behind on things, but have wondered about Mardy and Hester too. I did a search a while back and found nothing after her last post on our thread

Ds2 has been having 4 - 5 hour sleeps the last 2 nights. fingers crossed that it continues.

Hi only had a brief skim. I too think about Mardy & Hester and a few others. Wasn't Spina moving house or having renovations done? Maybe she's tied up with that?

Hello Jabber, long time no speak

Oli, before DS came down with chicken-pox in January I had a really grumpy week with him. He's such a happy boy so it was very noticeable. Then he got a really high temperature and then out came the spots. Keep an eye on it and arm yourself with Calpol, Neurofen, Piriton (for itching) and calamine lotion! Good luck.

I've had the most hideous 30 hours. Started to get earache on Friday night. Had to call DH back at midnight I was so scared. Thought my brain was going to explode. Managed to find a walk in place and after spending most of yesterday there am on antibiotics. Also taking the pain killers they gave me for my c-section. It's a post-cold thing so watch your LOs.

The colds going around are terrible, I've never known a year like it. DH & I have had 3 bouts in a row.

It seems that if a baby gets catarrh they never get rid of it completely. I can hear dd2s nose is slightly blocked and dd1 never suffered from anything like this in the first year (how lucky were we?)

You guys have had lots of colds over there. We've been really lucky so far (jabber knocks on wood). Ds2 has only had 2 colds. The weather has been warm enough for shorts the last two weeks but dh tells me there is a cold snap coming. Hoping it's the last one. Our last frost date is around April 17th.

I've also noticed lots of chicken pox. After quite a bit of consideration I had ds1 get the chicken pox jab last year. Of course, it's in the standard vax schedule over here but I had considered letting him catch it. Do they offer it at all in the UK?

Eli, packing! I was just thinking about that as we are going away over the holidays. If you have access to a washing machine take as few clothes as possible. I have to lug a huge german pram/travel cot plus at least 4 bags (the biggest undoubtedly full of DD2's clobber - so much stuff for one so little). Fortunately I have a big german boot to fit it all in

Eli & AQ, DD2 is becoming a sound laboratory too! I had forgotten that DS was like this. Takes me back. When she wakes up in the night and does it I lie in bed frozen in fear Usually she goes back to sleep again.

Have spent all day making DS's easter bonnet for the school parade on Wednesday. Talk about stress. DH has gone out looking for straw, chicks & a ribbon. Those who don't have DCs at school yet, just enjoy this craft-free period! I was having flash-backs this morning of my DM staying up all night making costumes for me. Gaaaaa ...

Jabber, no we don't get the pox jab here on the nhs. All the americans I know go and get it done privately. I've heard of people having chicken pox parties instead

It's a lovely day here too. I've managed to dry 3 loads of washing outside. Long may it last!

I've heard of that too, lol. But no one really gets it around here anymore so they are few and far between nowadays.

Hi Jabber glad to hear the colds and pox are far away thoughts right now...

Castles, how scary - glad you got ABs (and have left over painkillers, I used all mine up ): earache is a horrid thing, only had an ear infection once as a child and have never forgotten it. dd1 has had the start of one twice, the only times she's ever had ABs and well worth it IMO - not fun at all. HOpe you're feeling tons better by now (and a little high ).

True enough, Margo..dd2 is STILL snotty and snuffly after ten days, and throwing up more often due to swallowed mucous, I imagine. Very mucous-y nappies (sorry) as well. dd1 just has the eternal snotty nose and is grumpy and tired in the afternoons.

And I (who also have their cold) am just grumpy and tired all day, and feeling slightly sick...though having made somewhat undercooked Financiers (French almond cakes, which involve lots of eggwhite) from a cookery book my SIL gave me for my birthday recently, I'm wondering if I've just poisoned myself rather than it being cold-related. I did eat three...

And no, sadly, no washing machine access on this one: hotels. Though dd1's godfather lives in Torquay, so we could always borrow his. Am hoping the hotel have a laundry service for emergencies!

Casltes, where are you off to?

Hi eli

Castles, I missed the bit about the ear. Hope you are feeling better. It's good you had leftover meds. I took all of mine while trying to get bfing established

Castles, I don't envy your earache, that and toothache are the most unbearable pain (apart from childbirth of course!!)

I remember Dh pretty much crying in pain with earache. Hope you feel better soon.

Dh is at the hospital at the moment. His nan has been poorly, then broke her hip and is now poorly in hosp again His mum (her daughter) is away for the weekend so he feels responsible for making sure she is ok.

Ds1 is asleep, so are the other kids and it is so quiet. I should be in bed but it's lovely to have some time to just sit and relax

Hi All, sorry to hear about your earache Castles..
A couple of weeks ago I got a few pains in my ear and marched myself up to outpatients...I will never risk being stuck with ear infection. I have had multiple ear infections as a youngster living in the sun and pools etc.. Swimmers ear 6 times in 1 ear and 7 times in the other,and I remember all the crying that went along with it.....

Now why is my pump losing suction..?..grrr!

Are you lo's trying so hard to talk too?When i talkjt o Amberli she try's so hard its so sweet. She wakes me up in the morning talking now...really loud!