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

[Coriander73]

Hello...

Hi All, Long time no post, due to work - boo! Apologies if I get names wrong re. who's posted what.
Aren't the LOs so lovely and exciting at the moment, changing lots. DS has started getting up on hands and knees and rocking back and forward - methinks crawling won't be long now and my prediction of him crawling on my bday (1.5 weeks away) might possibly come true - aaaagh, need to get stair gates, socket fillers, door catches, etc
T4T - sorry to hear about DS2s ulcers and your migraines. Sending you lots of get well soon vibes.
Cori - thinking of you for your scan and hope it turns out to just be a precaution and is all fine. I have become even more of a worrier since DS arrived and often worry about DH or I not being around for him growing up, but that's not even based on anything to worry about, so can completely understand your DH being upset.
Car seats - luckily ours is up to 13kg so we don't need to worry about that, but as car seat and buggy are hand-me-downs from SIL, am looking forward to getting stroller as well as new car seat when the time comes - will definitely bear recommendations in mind.
bTW what's all this past tense business with WHAM? I'm still a fan all these years on - was always a GM girl, not an AR girl! Feel the need to get my tapes out while DH is out this evening, but as I still have to sort DS bottles, etc for tomorrow and get my tea before Grey's Anatomy starts (so excited) - oh and shower to do my legs - don't think I'll have time.
Right, am sure I have missed loads I wanted to say, but just to say am keeping up with you all, but there are so many posts and never enough time to post regularly.
Hope you all have lovely weekends.
P.S. Joined Weight Watchers last Saturday and would so love to be sitting down to Grey's Anatomy with a glass of wine and small bar of chocolate, but not allowed - although that I'm finally on track to slimming. Only want to get back comfortably into my nice size 12 pre-pregnancy clothes, but my chocolate addiction is so strong - 1.5 stones to lose to start with, wish me luck!

but Cori - - I on't have one, the ultimax wouldn't fit in my car

We have a freeway in DH's car for DS1 and DS2 has the britax first class in the rear facing position at the moment. In my car we have the evolva 123 for DS1 and a creatis for DS2. In a month or so we'll have to but a new one so we can move on from the creatis and I think the evolva has been great for DS1 so I'm going to get another of those. Having said that though, I would not even dream of putting DS2 in the evolva even in the 'reclined (ha ha, as if it does!) for at least another 18 months. It would be fine while he was awake for short journeys but we had a similar thing for DS1 and we just found his head lolled forwards too much - so we bought the freeway instead. I honestly don't believe they'd last 10 years anyway - the cover on DS1's is 6 months and already starting to show wear.

Welcome to the world of car seats all you first timers - all these things you only find out when you're a parent!

T42 thanks for all your info on the car seats in your last post...whether you know it or not, it was very helpful and informative...
like i mentioned earlier, i've been eyeing the evolva 123 and you said you wouldnt put your littlest one in it until 18 months old... did i read that wrong...hang on let me re-read. OH you DID say that. wow. perhaps i should reconsider. isnt there something that can be added to the head part so that they dont wobble around as much? or does that only exsist in a perfect world?

but you bought a freeway instead...is that britax or maxicosi? ((im so lazy right now, i know i could do the research myself...hehehe ))

and wow so many of you are into greys anatomy! i feel sooo behind! im only only only just getting into it, and thats with the RERUNS that air on sky in the afternoons. heheheh maybe i should just watch the new series tonight.

...just a kwikie...
JUST MY LUCK! im watching the greys anatomy "catch-up" of seasons 1 & 2, all in 1 hour so now, i dont have to watch from the beginning in the afternoons. woot woot!
hehhe
now, where did i leave my glass o' wine?

compo, I've been supporting Spurs since I was 7!! I'd love to see Forest back where they belong...I mean two European Cups for goodness sake & what are they doing in league one? ! How on earth did they lose to Yeovil?? Anyhow....that's another thread entirely!!

Less than half an hour to go before Greys Anatomy...& yummy Derek Shepard...I mean, you wouldn't say no would you?!!!!

Cori - DH & I watch Grey's Anatomy too! Has been re-upped for season 4 but might be a writer's strike so next season might start late ... we have DVR'd & have yet to watch the last 4 episodes of season 3! MIL came to visit & we were watching earlier this year & she remarked, "that show's just all about sex." And we said, "No it's not ..." then as we were watching started laughing - "oh yeah ... you're right!!"

HH & Mabel - 5'3". In person you'd think more "weight room" than "waif".

Wow, Ivor & HH - Jameson held on for the first time to me the other day! DS1 never did go through that phase. I am hoping J's is short-lived!

Ivor, I'm in the MOMS Club here ... but childcare? That'd be great! We get together for book club or new member tea or whatever at each others' houses & just bring our children & let them play together. But Moms' Night Out once per month means Dads' Night In!

Actually - supposed to meet for friend's birthday tonight, at fun restaurant but DH stuck at Dallas airport. Not his fault but was due for a good girls' night out. Next weekend will try to just get my own together, darnit.

TFT - Going through Imitrex at double speed these days so really feel for you. Hope you at least have something you can take for them - or do for them - that works!

ds2 had his 8 month check and was pronounced fine.

He's going to be tall if he keeps growing at this rate.

He beamed at the HV and clapped for her which she raved about. He's a total nightmare with always pulling himself up to standing using the nearest trouserleg or piece of furniture, his crawling is getting quite speedy too.

He still won't attempt to eat anything in a baby led weaning kind of way and gags on anything lumpy but the he's only got 2 small teeth at the bottom so maybe that's the problem.

We're pondering the whole car seat thing too at the moment, when to move him into a bigger car seat. He was 21 1/2 pounds so I think we'll have to get ds1 (who is now 4 but quite slim) a booster seat so that we can use his maxi cosi for ds1. I kind of like having ds2 "ride shotgun" in the front of the car next to me because I can entertain him if we get stuck in traffic but he'll have to switch to forward facing in the back next to his big brother.

All the talk of pushchairs/buggies/stolllers is making me feel less guilty about the 3 we have at the moment. The big M & P pram/puschair is going in the loft when I have cleaned the mud off the inside of the footmuff (don't ask !) in case any of my SILs might want it in the future. It's big and takes up too much room in the hall and I can't be bothered with collapsing it and putting it up again each time. We are currently using a second hand McClaren Techno XT which is good although it doesn't recline flat but ds is almost nine months. We also have a Quinny Zapp which is really handy for when you are going on holiday or just end up having to use a pushchair quickly because we keep it in the car and it doesn't take up much room although it doesn't recline at all.

Sorry to hear that a few of us are not feeling 100% at the moment, hope things improve soon.

sorry i need to get something out as i'm so upset.

the landlord didn't bring anyone that night. we called him and asked what time he was going to be here at and he said it'll be tomorrow now after 3. we didn't want him to show the house whilst nobodies in so dp had to stay in even though he'd booked the day off for our nephews birthday party.

anyways dp told the landlord about the move straight away a couple of weeks ago. the landlord called me back to ask for the dates even though dp already told him, i explained he'd get the keys on 30th june. he wanted me to confirm with dp cause he thought he said the middle of june. anyways i text him in the end as i was so annoyed and it came through straight after that he'd recieved the text saying you'll get the keys on the 30th june.

i called him up on monday to say there have been delays and he said not to worry he'll not kick us out on the street.

when he was showing the house yesterday he told the lad it'll be ready the 30th june. dp told him it wouldn't and after the lad went he showed dp the text and said this is what he recieved last night.

he told us he wants us out now and we should try to find somewhere else to live quickly.

dp told me what happened and i showed him my phone bill to confirm when i'd sent the text. i called the landlord and he denied it coming through straight away although i know it did but can't prove it.

we have a big problem as the tenancy agreement ran out 6 months after we moved in and we've been here for 4 years. we have no rights. we have no where else to go. i'm so upset and angry. he knows how much of a hard time we've had the past couple of years with almost losing dd1 and constantly caring for her and having dd2 coming early. i can't believe he's trying to kick us out now.

i thought we were doing a good thing giving him notice but it looks like it's backfired on us. my heads all over the place. where the f*ck can we move with two kids and all our stuff that quickly?

KK, you do have rights - lots of them. I remember this from law school... If your tenancy agreement ran out 6 months after you moved in (it must have been an assured shorthold tenancy I think?) and wasn't renewed officially, but you've been living there since, I'm pretty sure your tenancy has continued as a periodic tenancy on the same terms as in the original agreement - so the terms in the original agreement still apply.

The law really is on the side of the tenant when it comes to residential letting. The landlord must give you 2 months' notice that he wants you to leave the property - see this page. He is being unreasonable, and he cannot tell you to "move out quickly". If you just stay put, he would have to go to court for an order to evict you, and that would take months.

Also, if he is still accepting your rent, then he is affirming that the tenancy agreement is still in place. Do you pay in advance?

I hope the links are useful.

KK, please don't worry too much. I know it's really stressful. If I were you I would do EVERYTHING in writing from this moment on, keeping copies of it all. Also keep a record of everything he says and does, with dates and times, just in case.

Seconding HH's advice, visit your local Citizens Advice Bureau if you are still worried.

You have more rights than the landlord.

thanks for the advice. i can't believe he's doing this. i'm glad we still have rights but i feel like i've got enough worries and stresses and i don't need him being a tw*t. sorry for my language i'm not usually the kinda person who talks like this.

Wow, this thread has been busy for the past couple of days!

KK, sorry to hear about all that's going on. Looks as though HH has given you some good advice. Also agree with Grrr, speak to CAB as soo as you can.

Re car seats, we have an Isofix one that came with the car which does from birth til 4 years, so we're sorted on that front. A friend of mine has the maxi cosi priori xp which is lovely. I think its best to just go for whatever fits your car best.

I've never seen Grey's Anatomy. Do you think its worth starting? Will I get into it now?

As for Wham, I am a very proud fan! I had the 'Final' album on vinyl. In fact, I think I still have it somewhere. Along with my 'Make it Big' LP which has been signed by George himself!!! My pride and joy. After DS, of course.

Jingle - good to hear from you. How is WW going? Am thinking of joining myself. Am feeling really motivated to do something at the moment. The only thing I hate about dieting is the constant food planning. It seems the more you have to think about food, the more you want it! I only want to lose a stone or so, but that last bit is the hardest!

T4T - how awful. I do suffer with migraine but, thankfully, very rarely nowadays. The only treatment that ever worked for me was 1g Paracetamol, 50mg Voltarol and 60mg Codeine. And a pitch black room and a sleep. Not exactly easy when you have LOs to look after... I really feel for you. Congrats on baby Sophie.

Myrtle - glad all went well with the christening.

Ought to go. DS and I are still in our night clothes! Having a very lazy morning but really ought to get dressed before DH comes home for lunch!

Enjoy the sunshine, ladies

you have an item signed by GM. WOW MY BIL once ran into GM and AR at a club AR used to own in Watford. They played pool together. I am v. I am still a big fan. DH went to the Final concert at Wembley. More . I did go to the Listen without prejudice tour though at Earls court when I was in the 6th form. Those were the days...

Hi all

So sorry to hear about your landlord KK - sopunds like HH has given you some good advic e though.. Maybe a trip to citizens advice would be a good idea..

Re: carseats DS2 is now in ds1's old maxi cosi priori. It has been a great seat, and he's been in it for a month or so now, his rear facing one was far too small and the straps were let out as far as they would go and were digging in to his shoulders as he has a very long body.

Compo - another forest fan here (well I say fan, i haven't been to a game in about 6 years!)

We have a busy day today...a birthday party this afternoon followed by DH's works 'sports day' which has turned in to a trip to the bowling alley - I think DS1 is going to love it!

Ds2 is now eating almost 'normal food' now, no more pureeing thank goodness. Does anyone know what age they can have eggs? I haven't tried them yet and with 2 chickens in the garden (who have forgiven us and started laying again) it seems a shame.

mabel, fraser loves egg. scrambled usually, with soft toast. give it a go!

KK so sorry to hear about your troubles, DH and I let a house back in the UK and it is true the tennants have more rights than the landlords. Fingers crossed that everything turns out right for you.

On the wham thing, I once saw AR at Silverstone, he was racing a Renault 5. He only lasted 3 seconds as he crashed on the first corner. My Dad took me to find him after the race but he wasn't signing autographs, so Dad called him a tosser and we walked off!

Munkibaby, thank you for your comments on my pickies you'll not get me to change my mind on the smiths thing, the noice makes my skin crawl. DH and a chum of his went to see Morrisey last week, the two of them (both getting very close to 40) went running up to the stage like two little groupies!

DS has started creeping, so the two cats have had a rude awakening and we've had to remove all non baby items off the floor! I think our lives are about to change again very very soon

Hope everybody enjoys the long weekend

Well, DS2 is eating chunks of bread but we're back to puree for DS1! Poor love, he's got all forur molars coming through according to the dentist and the gush of blood was what he called an 'eruption cyst'. Apparently its like a little blood blister over the new tooth and I must have burst it when I brushed his teeth. He also has a bit of oral thrush complicating the picture - probably becaus eof the penicillin he's having for the infection. He's still miserable but at least we know what it is now - worth the 4hr round trip!

Munki - my problem with the evolva isn't eh padding or head support as that's great (best on the booster seat market IMO) - it's that it doesn't recline properly. Just put that and the concord ultimax next to eachother in the shop, think 'sleeping baby' and you'l see what I mean!

KK - sorry to hear about your problems, HH has already given you the links so I won't repeat anything as she's the expert anyway - but good luck dealing with the landlord.

Marls - have I missed something or have you decided where to live yet?

Thanks again for all the carseat input. i'm sure it has helped some of the other "first-timers" as well as myself! woot!

I have looked up the concord ultimax and the freeway. they both get good reviews as far as safety is concerned. Now, i did the fit finder search on the britax home page. well...i tried to. i dont know if i should be embarassed but my hubby's car isnt on the list to choose from! ha! i couldnt help but AND feel at the same time. hehehe. so that being said, any other suggestions? anyone know of a differnt site that may have a broader range of vehicles in regards to carseats? Or should i just do my best to test-fit at whatever shop i go to?

alll this fuss and im not even sure that he's ready for the next seat! ha! i'm such a drama queen, i swear.

**on another note, last night, DS was doing his usual rummage around the lounge to see what he can pull up on. i just happened to glance over (dh was on bb duty) and watched just as DS lowered himself with an arm out, to catch himself! He's learned how to get down from getting up! I'm so very proud of the baby dude.

Mabel i bet your lo will love scrambled eggs. Just like HH's Fraser, my Fynn likes them as well. When im not caring about the mess that can be made, i just put them on his high chair tray and let him go at it. he really enjoys it.

KK sorry to hear that your LL is being such an are. its got to be very scary and frustrating, especially with children involved. Follow up with the advice links the other mums have given you and please keep us posted. Oh*, and feel free to vent regularly!

Munki - the fit finder is only a guide anyway so you should always get them fitted properly in your actual before buying anyway. There was an undercover investigation done by which? magazine a few years ago (came out as we were choosing DS1's second stage seat) where they checked that retailers were fitting the seats properly - only mothercare came out well. I've had a good experience at halfords but when I went to John Lewis I was astounded by the;r lack of knowledge and they woul've let me drive away with an unsafe seat , all for a sale! grr. Anyway, that's why I recomended mothercare earlier. Here's the which page on car seats if that's helpful for anyone :)

Oops haven't been keeping up sorry

DS has got 8mth check in a few weeks and I wanted to share some concerns with you (if I may). He is only just sittingup but not for long and when he does his left leg swells and turns purple and mottled. Have tried without a nappy but no differnce. He has only just rolled over but can't get back from his tummy. Defo won't stand and his other leg (not the swelling one) turns in so he can't put his foot flat on the floor.

I intend to tell HV when we go but as DD was ahead for her age it's hard not to compare.

FB x

FB - I would book an appointment with the GP rather than waiting for your HV check. A leg going mottled and swelling doesn't sound right at all. It could be a circulation problem so it'd be best to get it seen sooner rather than later.

Also, it probably isn't something that the HV deals with very often so she's likely to refer you to the GP anyway.

Am having real problems remembering who's who what with all the name changing. Any chance of a quick reminder???

bristols - thanks for that, I had been thinking the same really just needed a bit of a nudge.

FB, completly agree with Bristols, best have the GP have a look at it. Does your DS show any signs of discomfort when he sits up?

Bristols, I'm still me by the way

ivor - no none, he actually gets really stroppy when I make him lie down to make his leg calm down as he wants to be sitting up all the time.

Thanks Ivor. And for the record, I'm still me too!