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

[castlesintheair]

Will this do?

No odour removng suggestions but you can get a waterproof mattress protector from La Redoute for even a king sized bed - I have onew for mine (for the leaky boobs!) and it doesn't feel plasticky (sp?)

ahhh hair loss - its happening to me too , i freaked out for abit then remembered its the hormones doing this to me !

bp, no help with smelly mattresses, but am sorry to hear about your colleague - very sad, and I understand the scary effect from having peers die.

Thanks for all the good wishes re dd, we had another crappy night (she was totally gasping and writhing by midnight this time) but were better prepared. The gp told me to wake her up if I was worried, so I did: worked a treat - went from choking noises to chortling noises in about two minutes (after brief cry and cough) and then had a feed. We fed her every time she got choky, seems to help (swallowing the gunk, I guess?! sorry!) and had her in bed with us all night. Got a few hours ourselvces, but not restful - have to admit it brings back the ghost of Xmas past

Still, she seems reasonably ok today - congested, tired, but still playing/feeding. Think I might have to get used to this and get on with it Castles, thanks - not had time yet, and already have her sleeping on a tilt, but the head back thing does sound good. Plan to try!

Indith, ouch: hope it becomes forgettable very soon!

Re CBeebies: dh and dd1 are out 'scooting' just now, and am knackered. Plonked dd2 and me in front of a Brainy Baby dvd someone gave us: she fell asleep - not sure its going to make her Brainy, but hell if it gets her to sleep its good enough for me

my DD1 used to watch baby mozart all the time - it was a garanteed way of sending her to sleep. She also loved the football.Lots of cbeebies too but she has actually learnt things from the tv so i dont feel too bad.

DD2 has little choice and watches a mix of nickjr & cbeebies (DD1's choice). Seems to like In the Night garden and Dora the Explorer

Hello all, trying hard here to respond to all the news but it's v.difficult to keep up even after a day (internet access went down & v.stressful day with the ds's)

Eli, sounds v.worrying bout dd2, what a horrible couple of nights. You do seem to cope with it so well though, do you in RL? [hugs!] I'm in Yorkshire, would love to go to an m&t group with you but I seem to remember you're durn south!

Indith, I too have had a coil fitted, I sympathise enormously, had to leave work I felt so darn rotten. I tried to have one fitted again after ds1 was born but they couldn't as I was too tense. They're great though, best form of contraception I think. Hope you're feeling better now

WB, how're you feeling now? Sorry to ignore you in my own low state Do put some photos up so we can admire your lo's, it made me feel really good! I find photos a real boost, and take little videos every week too.

Coco, how's the bronchiolitis now?

Bec, OMG your girls are so gorgeous!!! DS is going to be a heartbreaker if he carries on in that line!

LFM, did you get good stuff at the nct sale?

Margo, sorry never responded back to the work thing from days ago. I think most women who return to work find it v.hard to get back in the swing of it - did you go back after dd1, what was it like then?

Magnolia, thanks for hugs Glad the ad's are working for you, I really can't imagine how you cope with 5! Which one are you taking out of interest as you're still bf'ing?

So sorry if not responded to something, I can't believe the volume of messages we produce. Feeling guilty lately that all I do is whinge about my own issues, when I have it easy compared to many of you.

I'm behind again!!!!

AQ - I'm in complete sympathy. Wed was a particularly bad day for me too. Ds2 very clingy, ds1 lots of accidents in pants, etc. I escaped to work yesterday regrouped and today has been much better. Still finding the transition from 1 to 2 fairly challenging. I'm trying to find the balance between just enough and not too much structure. Here's what we do for ds1:

Monday - gymnastics in a.m. then drum lessons at 4
Tues/Thurs - Mother's day out from 9 - 2 while I'm at work then dh has both boys until I get home at 6
Most Wed's - ds1 goes to a friend's from 9 - 2 for babysitting. She has a ds a year younger so he thinks it's just a long playdate.
Fri - nothing
Sat - I usually work 1/2 day, ds1 goes to babysitter while I'm gone
Sun - nothing

I have a different sitter who comes to the house a 1/2 day to take care of ds2 when I work

Both boys are very snarfley at night esp ds2. I'm thinking it's allergies.

Will try to catch up more later!

accesorise I have added some photos to my profile now, you all have such lovely families.

I am a bit better but sadly I gave in and have had the occasionsl cigarette, could kick myself for being so stupid was determined not to start again after this one...

I read everything but often find it difficult to respond to everything, sorry those poeple I miss

WB don't kick yourself, things as tough enough. If it helps you to get through the day in a sane manner then so be it.

Hope your dd is getting a little less stuffy Eli.

I'm all excited! Ds has a terrible habit of waking for a feed around 5.30/6 and then being a bit unsettled. Last night he fed at 11.30, then 3.30 (4 hours! 4 whole hours!) then woke at 5.45 but I stuck his dummy in and he went back to sleep til 7! Just imagine, if he keeps this up I won't have to go to bed at 10 anymore just to get the sleep, I could feed before I go to bed then only feed once during the night.....wow.......wonder what that feels like

Interestingly when he woke for the day at 7, I changed him and took him to bed as usual but he didn't want to feed yet, gurgling and staring at daddy with adoring eyes having not seen him for 13 hours was far more interesting than milk! Mummy is going to get tough, I know he doesn't need feeding that often and I am not a dummy, unless he is having an obvious growth spurt I refuse point blank to feed at less than 3.5 hour intervals!

This may end up getting a baby who is good at self settling addicted to a dummy but hey ho we can brak that habit once we've sorted out the night wakings!

Post lunch nap 3rd day in a row!

Well, does a mental dance anyway, is in actual fact curled up in a big baggy jumper as it is freezing and about to pick her essay up again but had to share the elation!

AQ, I'm on Setraline which the breast feedng councellor said was the best one when still b/f. My doctor didn't agree at first but I insisted because I am sure the Fluoxatine that the doctor 1st prescribed lowered my milk supply.

WB, Don't worry about the occasional ciggarette. I gave up a few years ago but still have one when I go out for a drink!!

Well ds1 is back to 2 hourly wakings!!! I am thinking of increasing solids. He has been on fruit/veg puree once a day for a few weeks now with no problems. I might do cereal with breast milk mid morning. He has developed a habit of wanting to look around all the time so feeds onlt last a few minutes

Congrats indith!

magnolia, I think that's the same as the Zoloft that I'm on. Even 25 mg every other day helps smooth out the rough spots for me.

yay indith.

my dd seems to be having 3x30min naps a day now and is up once inthe night at about 4ish

Hope you got some of your essay done, Indith!

Can't offer anything constructive re. PND, but big hugs to everyone.

Eli, hope your DD is feeling better. You sound so amazingly together about it, but it must be hard for you.

WB, I'm a bit like magnolia - have been known to smoke more than a few on a night out, despite having stopped years ago. The odd one won't make any difference, except to your state of mind. Anything that helps has got to be a good thing.

DH is away supporting Watford again today, so I've got the house and my girls to myself. I do miss him when he's not here , but its nice to not have to worry about his needs as well, once in a while. DD1 and I shared some fish and chips, watched Dr Who and Joseph. She's asleep now, so I'm going to have a glass of white wine and get DD2 settled for the night.

Hi All,

Wow there is so much to catch up on. I too am losing hair like there is no tomorrow - the plug hole in the sink and bath are always full of it recently.

Indith how did the essay session go?

More hugs to those with PND.

Little bit disapointed with NCT sale. Managed to get some books - (to make me laugh) "97 ways to make a baby smile" and "101 things I wish I'd know before becoming parent" - will share these with you every now and then whn I find a good one to make you all smile too Also picked up a Tiny Love toy bar for DS in the car seat - perhaps that will stop him screaming when we go out in the car!!

In the clothes section I picked up a lovely Grobag and a couple of cute dungarees for DS and a Little Mermaid skirt and jacket outfit for DD.

My PG friend got a nappy box, top and tail bowl and musical light for bedtimes. And in the clothes sale picked up a few little unisex bits and the smaller version of my sleeping bag. I feel really sorry for her, this is their first baby and when it was me family all helped or bought outright big things like a cot and a pram etc. But although it is her parents first GC they have'nt offered anything.

hello everyone ...
hope youve all had better nights ...im still having bad nights with ds , seems to wake up every hour - grrr ! but i think that still down to his broncholitis ..hes getting better everyday ...his coughs are still persistant ,and throws up at least once a day (mostly over me yuk !). Hes well alert and smiles alot . he seems to love watching dd1 ..so ive been encouraging dd to dance in front of him for enterainment ! Do anyone of your lo finds watching their siblings enteraining ?!
I've been trying to get him on the bottle (want to wean him off b/f) but he isnt having any of it ! -at first we used normal formula then he developed a rash which shows he has an allergy to cows milk (my dd1 has the same allergy) so switched to soya formula ..still refuses it !, even changed teat to nuby teats..nope that didnt work ! I just dont understand it ! he was ok with expressed milk from the bottle but that was before he became poorly . I'm abit at my wits end at what to do now !....

Coco - sorry you are having such a hard time, but alteast DS is happy when not coughing or throwing up - always a good sign Perhaps have a chat with your HV about what options are left to help wean off the BM.

Hi everyone,

Went househunting yesterday. Cannot find anywhere near here that dh likes and that I will fall in love with. But I have just started making new friends. I go to Bounce and Rhyme on Fridays, NCT on Tuesdays and I went out to a quiz night with the B&R mums.

It's a dilemma.

Have found some nice houses further out but I am not sure about the schools or nurseries there.

Meant to add - as DS has been ging through the night from 10pm-6am for the last 6 weeks I am today trying to get rid off the 10pm dream feed - probably too early but worth a try to establish a better routine before I go back to work. So is days should no roughly go...

6am 9oz FF
7am - 8am nap(already established)
9.30am 4oz FF & small ceral and fruit puree
11am - 12noon nap (already established)
1pm 4oz formula feed & pureed veg and baby rice
2pm-3.30pm nap (already established)
4.30pm 4oz FF & pureed fruit and baby rice or fromage frais
5.30pm - 6.pm nap (already established)
6.30pm - 7pm start bedtime routine
7.30pm DD in bed, DS downstairs for cuddle
8pm 9oz FF feed, wind and bed in cot.

Basically I am giving the same amount of formula and food but spreading it out over 5 feeds instead of 6. When he had 6 they were too close together he was always either sleeping or eating.

Wish me luck

milkshake - youre doing well with the routine ! - esp getting ds to bed at 8pm ! my ds doesnt settle down till 11pm !!

Coco, this I was'nt going to post this after your earlier thread, but wanted to see what people thought. - hope you dont mind.

I was getting so tired waiting for dream feed. Also DS is in his moses baket down stairs until then, so i though by bringing it earlier I could get some sleep earlier too and DH and I could reclaim the downstairs by 8.30pm.

Would not be so bad but DD is now deciding to wake for a wee in the night and its not fair to tell her to do it in her nappy if she is wiling to get out of bed.

BTW have just won a bumbo on e-bay for £11.59p Got in on the last 20 seconds and grabbed it by .09p!! Was hoping to see one at the NCT sale, but no luck.

Well done on the routine, LFM, wish I could get my act together as I have no daytime routine at all. I think I feed DD2 about 5 or 6 times a day and then she gets carted about inbetween. No daytime bed routine at all I do give her a bath every night though (around 6.30) with the other 2, give her milk and get her in bed 7/8pm and she sleeps til 6/7am ish. Very lucky given the daytime chaos, think she's quite laid back, like me!

Cocobabe, I TG for my older 2 DCs as they are such entertainment for DD2. She has hysterics every time she sees them and they seem to enjoy her enormously.

Margo, dilemma on the house front. IKWYM. I'd love to move out to the countreeeeeeeeeee but would miss my pals/network and all the stuff to do round here. Plus state schools here are fantastic!

Eli, how are you? Hope things are improving.

Hope everyone's having a good weekend. Feels like summer is here, yah!

LFM - i dont mind you putting yr thread abt routine , its good to inspire others ! HV visiting on tues so will spk with her re the bottle feed problem .
And well done on getting the bumbo !

We have no real routine either, ds1 gets fed as and when he wants and he too gets carted off here there and everywhere. Especially with 4 other siblings he just has to fit in

Bedtime routine is hard coz with the older ones its very chaotic in the evening so He always goes to bed after them. Dd4 (age 3.5) goes at 7pm, the twins (age 7) go at 7.15. dd1 (age 11) goes anywhere between 8.30 and 9pm. Ds1 goes about 9.30pm but I wish I could move it forward to about 8.30 but by the time the older girls have finally gone to sleep I am too knackered to do much about getting ds1 off to bed

Last night not quite so good but he did go back down at 6 until 7.45

Essay is around half done ish (in draft form anyway). Today has so far been revision. Boo hiss etc. Cannot wait for the next few weks to go by! Have decided today that all principles about dummy are going to totally fly out of the window and it will be used as much as possible during the day too! After exams there are 3 weeks or so til results where nothing need be done but play with ds so we can go cold turkey then!

Househunting sucks doesn't it Margo! We've been doing about turn again due to an invitation to interviw for something that is a) local and b)better paid and still debating whether should the Scunthorpe job be the one whether to move straight to York after the tenancy is up here or go via Leeds where we can have a free house til Spetember when the job starts. At some point we might actually hav to decide where to house hunt!

LFM your routine amazes me! All those established naps! Ds is still finding his rhythm! Feeds on demand, starting to drop off pretty regularly in the mornings after he's been up a couple of hours. Today I even managed to put him down without him waking up! The post lunch nap has sadly not happened today . He gets carted around lots, usually as his mummy and daddy take it in turns to give each other some quiet study time. The only routine we have is bedtime. I am very very proud of it and it has proved to be really well set having survived plenty of disturbances these holidays. That is 6pm bath, then massage til 6.30/6.40 ish, dress for bed, feed and down by 7. I know while I'm feeding in ds room that if I hear the ad break in Hollyoaks (dp watches it...why?) that is is time to start settling into his cot!

Ds is learning new tricks again. Yesterday he spent a long time rolling onto his side then grunting, and huffing and puffing because he couldn't go all the way over or back! Dp was sitting near him and kept flipping him back over with his feet and he would just start again! Very funny. Today was also the realisation that kisses are not just random things mummy does a lot but nice things so we had a good session where every time I kissed his cheek he gave a big happy gurgle.Bless.

Anyway ds has just finished feeding (I say feeding, more covering himself and the floor with milk, I swear he has worked out just how to get me spurting so he can see how much of a mess he makes) so he is off to the library with Dp and I am moving on from Specific Language Impairmnt to Autism. Fun fun.