September 2006: no longer baby babies (anyone feeling broody) !!

[Coriander73]

Hello...

wow - soaking in camomile tea - what a great idea!
is it just me that uses paper liners then? I always have done, just because of the effort of adding to my washing mountain and having to get poo off the liners...although i take it it comes off quite easily.

KK - forgot to say i didn't watch fight for life, i can't watch those sort of things, i find it too upsetting, but think you are very brave to be able to watch knowing your dd may have to go through a similar thing. It is amazing what they are able to do these days.

Just a quickie as it's nearing tea time. Mabel - I use flushable liners. Have been using tots bots ones (because I got a roll free as a sample) which have been really good. Having said that, they're nearly gone and I just bought some PHP ones from my local Sainsbury's. Might be worth trying your local one?

I must admit that I do like just chucking the whole lot down the loo. Am not in the least bit tempted to go for washable liners too.

oh help. not been on for a week, and can't keep up.

KK, I think you do a wonderful job too, from what you've said on here. I find it hard enough and neither of mine have any kind of special needs. Take care of yourself, you are important.

Myrtle, I saw your DS would have been Isla maybe. So would Fraser!!

Mabel, I hope you've recovered from your shock now? Poor you. It sounds terrifying, but happens so easily. DS1 has worked out now how to put the key in the door and unlock it, so I have to hide them up really high.

Saw some of you talking about milk intake. I don't think F drinks enough - he has 8 oz first thing, and 8 oz at bedtime, but I can't get him to take an ounce in the day at all. I offer him it every day, tried bottle, tried different cups, but he won't take it most days at all. If he does sip some by accident (thinking it's water!), he spits it out. So I just try and make sure he has other sources of calcium, cheese, yoghurt etc.

I use flushable liners too - from Waitrose. Our local Sainsburys where i do all the rest of the shopping doesn't stock anything reusable nappy-wise, which I think is pretty shocking.

Well, Fraser is well and truly mobile. He tried to climb the stairs this morning (gate is on second one up) and fell off backwards. He pulls himself up on anything he can see, and can stand with just one hand holding on, with no hands for a few seconds before plopping down again. We had a bit of a scare on Sunday when he managed to push himself away from the table while in one of those travel highchairs at a friend's house, he and the chair fell over, and a lump the size of an egg appeared above his eye. I thought we might have to go to a&e, but I kept a really close watch on him, and he was fine. Thank god, it was v. scary.

Right, knackered now, so off to bed.

HH - you have the same problem as us, our stairgate has to be on the second stair up, as our bannister and wall stop before the stairs do, if that makes sense. I have put my yoga mat on the floor, as we have a hard floor in the hall and i am terrified he will fall backwards when he is clinging on to the stairgate. DS1 did it, and a friends little boy did as well. I think they are at that age now where they are going to get all sorts of bumps and bruises.

I will check our local sainsburys, i didn't realise they stocked PHP liners, ours isn't that big though so might not do them.

The Boots ones seem crazy to me, they are not biodegradable either, so I can't see them appealing to people who use cloth nappies for environmental reasons.

HH - I had the same problem with DD in that she refused to take fluids from anything other than her bottle for ages. The changing point for us was being on holiday, she took a sip of some diluted fruit juice I had in a glass and then went on to drinking from a beaker. She now has a beaker of milk in the morning with her breakfast, diluted fruit juice with her lunch and throughout the day and then usually about 9oz milk at night before bed. She has a yogurt with her breakfast every day and she has quite a lot of cheese etc to make up for having less milk. I honestly think that it's just a matter of time before they cope with going from bottles to beakers. I found that the Tommee Tippee first cup is excellent as they don't need to suck as such, it tends to just dribble out when held up.

We actually have a little sunshine today! I bought DD a paddling pool from ELC (£6 in the sale) and some balls to go in it as I didn't think it'd be warm enough for her to use it outside. I hope I'm wrong!

Also, DD slept in her first pair of pj's as opposed to sleepsuits last night. She looked so cute! I'm going to buy her a dressing gown next. She's really starting to look like a little girl, not a baby anymore. I can't believe she'll be 1 in just over a month. How fast a year has gone. I was looking through the ELC brochure and she's growing out of all the baby toys. It's sad in a way but very exciting too!

thanks mandaz. It isn't that he can't drink from a cup/bottle, just that he won't! He'll drink water from his Tommy Tippee, or non-spill spout no problem, and milk from his bottle first thing and last thing. When I offer him the milk in the afternoon, he takes one sip, thinks Huh, don't want that, and then spits it out. Making a lovely mess on my carpet...!! Still, he eats everything in sight so mustn't worry. Yesterday I had to keep grabbing him from crawling round the cafe at our gym, minesweeping under other people's tables for dropped chips and peas!

I reckon stairgates are more of a danger than a saftety device! I'm always tripping over ours.

DS spent a whole hour at nursery this morning. He was absolutely fine. Had a great time. I was fine too - no tears! Although I was pretty close when I went to collect him. His little face lit up when he saw me and he came crawling as fast as his little arms and legs would allow to give me a cuddle. I thought my heart was going to break! He's staying for the whole morning tomorrow. I'm sure he'll be OK but I'm worrying that he'll think we've left him... I'm having my hair done which will keep me occupied for a couple of hours. I'm going to really miss his company though

On Friday, he's going all day! Any ideas of how I could keep myself occupied??

oh Bristols, a day to yourself. You could have a very long bath, have coffee with a friend, have lunch with another, have a drink with DH, have a massage, buy some new clothes (we know you like matching underwear, they must do maternity sets!), read a good book, go for a swim. That should fill your day! Just don't do housework and jobs.

On a more serious note, I really dreaded leaving Fraser in nursery for the first time. I cried on the way home. But he loves it, seems really happy, sleeps well there, and I like my time at work. You'll be fine.

hey again all. Well, I have got hand foot and mouth disease! The things you catch off children... My doctor tells me it's not related to the animal disease of similar name, so I don't need to be put down (!!). Apparently it'll go down on its own after a week or so. I'm quite glad I've got "something", as I've been suffering from horrible mouth ulcers, sore throat and headache for about a week now, and the rash on my hands and feet only came yesterday. She also said it's quite rare in healthy adults, as most people are immune as they often get it as children, and may not even notice. Obviously not me. Still, I was worried that I was basically really run down, and now I know it's a virus and I'll feel better soon.... Of course, it would come the week DH is away from Sunday to Friday in the US.... Typical.

Long time to catch up on, but think I've managed to browse through most.

KK I think you're doing a terrific job. It may be that the twins Mum wants someone to reassure her she's doing the right thing and his is her way of doing it - being unconfident can cause people to act in what seem like very arrogant and know-it-all ways. Took a peek at your profile and your DDs are both very cute and look v. happy, which means you are definitely doing a wonderful job.
On milk, DS takes 8oz first thing and 8oz before bed, drinks water during the day and has a bottle after his lunchtime nap, but it depends on the day how much he takes (he seems to tweak his "routine" weekly at the moment).
Hearing about you all talking about holidays is making me wish mine was coming sooner (14 weeks on Monday), but I also don't want to wish DS's weeks away, as he seems to change so quickly at the moment. Know what you mean Fairy, as sometimes, he just seems to do things that are so much little boy and not so much baby! Is pulling himself up lots, but no sign of cruising yet. But, he is certainly enjoying crawling.
Glad you had good hols Manda.
Bristols - think HH has great suggestions for your day off, it will fly by I'm sure and you'll get used to the time away from DS very quickly. Although I want to reduce my hours at work, I do appreciate the chance to drink a hot drink before it goes cold and things like that (on a positive note, my Director asked me what my ideal daily hours would be today, e.g. instead of 8.30 to 5.15, 8 til 5, 7 til 4, etc - so the ground is set for a flexible working application).
Long post yet again - off to make my tea now and then retire to bed with stinking cold - boo

I wish DD would get the hang of crawling. She can move herself forwards but she looks like she's swimming. It's such a struggle for her! She's pulling herself up on furniture and wanting to stand a lot so I wonder if she'll just move straight onto walking. It makes you realise just how hard it is to learn to be a person! Bless!

A day off bristols...gosh..whatever you do don't do any housework!!! Have a lovely time spoiling yourself..we must get to bluewater

HH, sorry to hear about the F & M..

I'm thinking of re-training to go into teaching....what do you all think?

Hope you feel better soon HH
Cori - teaching is definitely not for me but I know a few teachers who really enjoy it. Great for childcare when the kids are school age too.
Dd didn't want to go to sleep last night. And this morning woke up really early so we're all abit bleary eyed here today

Cori, what sort of teacher? Would you teach languages at secondary level? I used to be a secondary history teacher, before I left and retrained for law... Have to say I found it incredibly stressful and draining on the whole, and I was much happier once I'd decided to jack it in. I only realised how stressed out and run down I was when I stopped (e.g. I stopped waking DH up grinding my teeth in my sleep...!!). I really think teachers get a lot of hard press, and people who haven't done a day or week's teaching should try it before they criticise (but that's a whole different band wagon to jump on... ). That probably isn't what you wanted to hear...

I think primary teaching would be completely different though.. My neighbour has just trained to be a primary teacher, and has loved it. Also, I went into it straight from uni, at 22, so wasn't that experienced in life. The people I know who've gone into teaching later as a second career have tended to enjoy it much more.

Maybe you could get in touch with a local school and do some work experience to get a feel for it?

realised how down that sounded on teaching... sorry! on the plus side, if teaching is right for you, you'll love it...

I had handed in my application to do my post grad in primary teaching when I found I was pregnant with DD.
Now I am finding that it is going to be difficult to do it. They keep cancelling the distance learning course. Two years in a row now
It is not as if there aren't loads of people dying to do it!
I think it is actually because of that that it is being cancelled, not enough spaces for placements and then all the jobs are taken at the end of the day so you would have to go away for year to do your probation.
By the time I get to do it, DD will be out of school!!

Go for it cori, if you have been doing some teaching already then I figure you already have a feel for it.
The schools, up here anyway, are always happy to let you come in and get a feel for it. Free help for the stresseed teachers is never going to be turned down!!

Worrying thought though, grinding your teeth in your sleep! Were you imagining having to bite your tongue at the little darlings, HH?
Don't think I could handle secondary, they answer back too much!

I used to dream about things like going into class and forgetting to put my clothes on (think that's a classic stress dream), and once woke DH up saying that I'd forgotten to put my contact lenses in, and couldn't see the class. The tooth grinding thing is another classic stress thing I think, I haven't done it since I took my last step out of the classroom and into the law... and I used to work in the City in the corporate insolvency dept, long hours and demanding clients! Teaching just wasn't for me. If it's the right career for you though, it's great, and does coincide nicely with holidays etc.

Thanks for all your feedback...good & bad.. I never thought I was a teacher tbh...I have many friends who are & have always thought that they were crazy! My main priority is to continue using my Spanish so have started to consider doing private tuition GCSE / A level etc & perhaps some adult teaching (for which you don't need a teaching qualification) to see whether I like it. I did teach English when in Spain & didn't really like it that much but feel more passionate about teaching Spanish..if that makes sense! I thought maybe now is the time to re-train if that's what I want to do - of course I'm nervous & apprehensive about it but just feel that I should give it a shot...I can always bail out if it's really not for me...of course I could then fit in & around the children if it takes off but it was more that I want to use Spanish in a more worthwhile manner - rather than back into sales & marketing which now I've been out of that enviroment for 7 weeks (by the way today is my last official day!!) I can't ever see myself dong it again..it may pay well but Christ it's a rather shallow existance (that's a whole other thread)

HH / Fairy, do schools really allow you to shadow someone? That would be an ideal scenario wouldn't it? Maybe I should contact all the local schools - state & private?

HH LOL at your funny dreams..no clothes on in class?!

Yeah! I did a couple of mornings at a primary school in town before I got sick. I would have gone back but I figured where was the point, I wasn't going to be able to do the course now!
I went to the local high school too, told them I was interested but undecided as to whether I wanted to teach primary or secondary. They were ok with that and gave be a disclosure scotland form to fill in, so that they could check I wasn't a nutter, and then I would have started.
But, again, it never got off the ground cos DD was in my tummy!

They are desperate for teachers, so I am sure, would do anything to get more. As long as they don't have to pay you and the disclosure check comes in ok, they should have no qualms.

Believe me, dreaming that you're standing in front of 30 15 year olds with no clothes on is no laughing matter.. LOL! seriously, I once discovered that my trousers had ripped a bit on the seam at the bum, and I had just been moving lots of tables and generally bending over with my 6th form class. I had orange knickers on and black trousers. How must that have looked? Even now, I shudder to think about it, and it was 10 years ago. At least it wasn't a G-string....

Where's Marls, is she on her wonderful trip to the Caribbean?

Hi girls!

Just been catching up with the news.

Bristols - I'm very jealous of your day to yourself!

HH - hope you're better soon

Cori - I used to teach and plan to go back to it some day in the next few years when all/both my littlies are at school. I liked it a lot. Like Fairy, I'm in Scotland where it's fairly easy to go into schools for experience, in fact you'd be expected to at interview. Makes sense really as could def put some people off! it'd be worth approaching schools and seeing what the deal is and then try to spend a day or a half day in a few different types of school (ideally city good, city rough and rural).

Lucy's doing well though is suddenly a fatty! She was on the 50th centile at birth, dropped to nearly the 9th between 4 and 6 months and suddenly is on the 91st! She's into everything, eats LOADS and is a lot of fun. She's finally crawling, is keen to stand and has a 7th tooth on the day.

Milk - she's dropping her mid afternoon breastfeed so only has milk (BF) morning and night most days. Is getting better at taking water/milk from a cup but only takes small amounts. Doesn't seem like a lot, but hopefully she'll get more into the cup.

I'm wasting a lot of time ATM trying to get onto the next sale site. Need to give up I think but I'm goin to allow myself another 10 mins!!

(it's me, tassis BTW, there was a newbie pop up called tassi, I asked her politely if she'd like to change her name, she declined, but I don't think she's posted again. feel a bit bad that I may have scared her off as i did start an AIBU thread on the subject (which is retrospect may have been perceived as a bit unkind). Oh well.

AIBU?

Orange knickers HH?!! I'm beginning to paint a picture..10 years ago it was even the 1980s so there is no excuse!!!!!! lol

This bloody summer is driving me nuts! Roll on Sep 17th & sunny Portugal...I need sun sun sun sun sun sun sun

Am I Being Unreasonable - thread title topic heading thingy...i'd link you to thread but still haven't worked out how to do that

(and I'm far too busy trying to get a next sale slot! )