TTC First Baby Catch-up With Our Babies Continued!!

[ELW85]

Hi all

As I’m rubbish and keep double posting I thought I’d start a new thread as we’re nearly at 1k.
I don’t have all of the OG’s so apologies for anyone I miss or anyone I miss in general (blaming lack of coffee this morning!!)

@Delilah7 @RanchoRelaxo @MrsR16 @thumper59 @trashkitten10 @Bostonfern @crossfitgirl @Fivebyfive2 @MrsEG @purplefig @LarryDavid @Lemonysherbet @Stormtrooperjulian @MrsH497 @LokiCat @Cupcakesandglitter

@ELW85 @TrashKitten10 Thanks girls, I honestly don’t know what to do, nor do I have a leg to stand on! I initially emailed my request to my boss and so do have an email from her which says ‘3 days is fine’. But it was informal. But all emails then between myself, my boss and the MD re: working days and remaining holiday allowance have never mentioned anything. They just called me yesterday and said there had been a ‘senior management decision’ that new company policy states part time is now a 4-day minimum to ‘meet the needs of the business’ and even the two women who were currently working 3 days are now doing 4. I just said I’d have to have a think about it, feel like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place a bit!!

Oh poor Daisy!! Glad she’s back to her normal self - I’m sure it’ll be the first bump of so many! At a Twins Trust workshop we went to when I asked for advice on best buys for boy/boy twins the mums all said in unison ‘a first aid kit’!!

@ELW85 Don’t worry too much about naps, especially crying being put down - my god some of the battles I have getting the down for naps at times! This morning Conor screamed at me, then did one huge scream and passed out (he’s now been down an hour!) - Ruairí went down fine but kept rolling over, hitting his head and crying - had 10 mins of that before he was asleep!! It’s way harder in the crib than in your arms!! Doesn’t mean they’re distressed they just have a preference haha! I genuinely ‘hear’ it now as ‘Mummm I’m so tired!’ and I just do what I can to settle them down! The fact they then (usually!) have a good sleep makes me feel like my instinct is usually right haha; little buggers just like to fight their sleep!

@TrashKitten10 - you’ll need more than an afternoon tea after the day you had! Poor you and Daisy! I’m pleased all is ok 😊
I can’t believe your work were awful too. Those expectations are ludicrous.
I feel quite lucky that mine are telling me to WFH in full knowledge that that might be impeded by childcare at times and that I might do a couple of hours more on a night to make it up etc.

@MrsEG - I honestly had no idea about the boys and naps! I had thought you just popped them down and that was it!
I think it’s an overtired thing with Finn. He’s so sleepy through the day and his wake windows have shortened recently but I’m thinking it’s because he’s ill and also in the middle of a growth spurt.
I’m absolutely horrified at your work. Will they really not consider the position they’re putting people in?
Can you look for another job at all? Total fuckery.

@TrashKitten10, oh god, I'm glad Daisy is OK and I can imagine that would have been scary for you... She actually sounds a lot like how I apparently was, always climbing things! I think I'll be joining your Spirited Baby group once Joe is on the move! We met up with my nct friend and her boy was just chilling on the mat and then there was Joe, lunging towards everything, proper reaching /grabbing at everything and loudly going 'aaaaaaagh' the whole time 😂

@ELW85, don't be so hard on yourself, Finn is doing great and nursery will be fine! Day sleeps are apparently learnt with a different part of the brain to night sleep, so one often comes some time before the other. You're doing great! Xx

@MrsEG, that sounds crap with your work, but not surprising in my experience. I hope you find a way to resolve it. Great news about your sister 😀

@MrsR16, how does Ethan do with finger food, have you tried him with much? After the failure last week, we're due to try again this weekend. He is so good with feeding himself with the spoon, but just looked 'suspicious' when we tried finger food? I guess it's early days!

@ELW85 oh god yeah! Bedtime, they go down with no fuss. But naps can be a challenge, especially as they’ve gotten older! Sometimes they’ll go right off, especially the lunch time one. But mornings and ughhh the late afternoon nap (UGH) can be hard hard work! Sometimes me and DH have considered a quick bath first haha to trick them as they go off at bedtime so well!!! But I don’t wanna confuse the poor boys!!
I’m not sure what to do really - I am gonna reach out to a recruiter and just gauge their thoughts on it. But I’m also tempted to ‘fight it’ with work a bit too. I always said from day 1 it’s just a childcare issue, I have two babies so double the cost! So I had said it would be a temporary measure and I would increase my hours in 2 years when they get the free childcare hours. I just don’t think that’s an unreasonable ask!!
It could be a growth spurt! Boys are always tired and cranky when they’re growing!

@Fivebyfive2 good luck with the finger foods!!

@ELW85 nursery workers seem to have a magic touch with getting babies to sleep! Enjoy them while you can but don't worry too much 😊 I promise Finn will work it out! Definitely go for the afternoon tea... you so deserve it!

@MrsEG that's awful about your work... I worked for an employment solicitor and she had clients sue their workplace for less than that! May be worth speaking to ACAS to see if they can offer any advice? Sorry about your thyroid not playing ball 😔 but awesome news about your sister!! I don't obviously know if you're on any benefits, but you may not get free childcare until they're 3! I was highly disappointed when I realised I won't get much help for Ethan care wise until he's 3. Although the govt will pay 20% of your childcare costs providing your childcare provider accepts that system? I've only done a bit of research so far though - how much childcare Ethan needs and where he goes is entirely dependent on which job I happen to be doing at the time! 😂

@TrashKitten10 oh dear god, I'd be a gibberish wreck in the corner, bubble wrapping the baby! 😂 I'm so glad Daisy seems ok though! What it it with work places being utter shite at the moment?

@Fivebyfive2 he doesn't do too badly! I've tried him with the Ella's Kitchen Melty Puffs, which he likes (but then again, I haven't found anything he doesn't just yet!), some biscotti biscuits (banana flavour) and actual banana. Today was the first day he'd eaten more banana than dropped down himself, so he's getting the idea! However, I'm still spoon feeding him as well until he can learn to not entangle the spoon and its contents in his hair 🤦‍♀️ I haven't been brave enough to try pasta or steamed veggies yet!

@MrsR16, well we tried strawberry and banana melty puffs today... He sniffed, put it near his mouth and dropped it on the floor! Dh liked them though 😂 We blend the pasta up so it's just in the sauce, all soft and just a bit lumpy. I'm tempted to try him on a bit of soft toast, apparently that's a good thing to start with too, but should probably try banana as well.

@ELW85, I'm feeling proud... Gave Joe a feed, he was nodding off so I put him down awake in his snuzpod rather than letting him roll into my lap... A few pats and hums of a lullaby aaaaand... He was asleep!! Here he is 😴 He'll probably be awake in 20 mins now 😂

@Fivebyfive2 oh Joe 🙈 bless him!! Ethan demolished one he was given by my mum (I didn't even realise they did strawberry and banana!!) I split the banana into 3 and then break good sized bits off for him. If you push your finger in at the top of the banana, it splits very nicely (and without the stickiness!) into 3 bits 😊 just a tip in case you hadn't seen it already! How did Joe do overnight? He looks very comfortable right there!

Morning all!

DH has surprised me with having a day off today so we’re doing the afternoon tea run today! Going to try and get a coastal walk in too. It’s quite bright so probably a good day for it!

How are we all doing?

I really hope we’re out the other side of this regression now. Barring a quick ‘shh’ and head stroke at 11pm, Finn slept from 7.30 to 3am when he was ravenous bless him. Sank a full bottle then back in the Snuzpod awake and got himself off to sleep. Again, a bit of reassurance needed but I’m starting to feel like we’ve cracked nights (famous last words).
His little eyes pinged wide open at about 8pm and I thought it was all over but he just looked around the room and went back to sleep.

@Fivebyfive2 - thank you so much for the reassurance! I’m sure we’ll get there with naps. I was thinking of you when they announced a socially distanced festival in Newcastle with Maximo Park playing 😊
Joe did so well with going to sleep on his own! That’s awesome! He’s absolutely beautiful too - so cute in his little sleeping bag! Xx

@MrsEG - I honestly thought you just put them down for naps, walked out and it was all done! Sorry you go through nap time trauma too.
I’d definitely fight work. It’s probably the best option in the climate. I also wouldn’t be surprised if they were applying pressure to the flex workers to get them to quit and avoid redundancies. But I’m a cynical (insert expletive here!)

@MrsR16 - thank you; I’m sure he’ll be fine at nursery. He just loves a cuddle 😂
It’s awesome that Ethan’s loving weaning! I hope we take to it as much as he has when the time comes.
Did you start at 6 months?

Finn’s cheeky face at 15 weeks yesterday, just waking up from a nap. Can’t help myself; look at him 💙

@ELW85 sometimes they do! The lunch nap they’re always so ready for and that one is relatively painless. They did used to be great with naps but since the 4 month regression naps have been tough. They fight the late afternoon one so much too but everything I read says they’re far too young to drop it yet. But honestly sometimes I just watch Ruairí on the monitor rolling about, drift off for 10 mins and is then wide awake again!! But yeah that regression buggered our naps a bit. Luckily bedtime is unaffected. Last night I did the whole lot including baths in 25 mins, I was having a glass of wine watching them both fast asleep by 7!
I know - I honestly had that thought - are they trying to force my hand so I don’t go back?? One less person to pay. I can’t decide what to do yet. I think I’ll email a recruiter and just see what the field is like and take it from there. DH is telling me to be cautious though as in general they’re a very family friendly company, flexible hours, lots of working from home etc - he keeps telling me not to cut off my nose to spite my face!
Ahh sounds like Finn had an excellent night!! Enjoy the afternoon tea today!

@Fivebyfive2 Ah look at him snoozing!! How cute is he!!

@MrsR16 I need to have a proper look in to it but I’m fairly sure we get no childcare help til they’re 3 either! There are zero provisions for extra help with twins/multiples from this government at all. Even my child benefit payment is less for Conor as he is my ‘second child’. We’ve had to get extremely creative with our finances!!
How’s Ethan getting on?

Me and DH are tempted to go out for lunch today and take the boys, be brave! I need to rejoin the outside world at some point!! Will let you know if it’s a total disaster or not..

@MrsEG - the late afternoon is definitely the hardest; I’ve read about it but can’t remember the reason!
I hear what your DH is saying, but there’s nothing wrong with a forthright conversation given they’ve essentially turned your working situation on it’s head and therefore your family life too!
Definitely go for lunch! It’ll be lovely and let us know how it goes 😊
Excellent work in bedtime! I was passed out not long after 8.30 dreaming of a glass of rosé (it’s not even my wine of choice, haha!)

Hi all! We had a weird night, Joe kept doing tiny poos all evening, so had to keep changing him, obviously making him more awake, it was 10.30 by the time he was properly down for a few hours!! He did OK after that though, woke about 1am and then slept till ten to five... And I managed to get him down again until 6.15!! Win! Dh has taken him out so I can do some 'ready meals' for him to intersperse with his pouches. He's got peas, brocoli, carrot. Pasta with brocoli, peas, cheese and chives. And then carrots with cheese and parsley. He eats better than me 😂

We're off to a park later to feed the ducks!

@MrsEG, good luck with lunch, I'm sure it will be fine! I see what you mean about work, I think I may end up in a similar situation. They're a small business, very flexible etc but at the end of the day, if they're struggling, we're just numbers on the bottom line unfortunately 🙁

@ELW85, so glad Finn had a good night! He is so cute 😍

@MrsR16, hope you're having a good weekend at your parents?? I'm tempted to try Joe on really soft toast, but have noted your tip about the banana, than you! The thought of all that mush makes me shudder a bit 😂

Here is my cooking from this morning ready to freeze and a pic of Joe having lunch yesterday 🙂

@MrsEG That's so bad, I've never heard of forcing part timers into new working hours. I should think a fully stocked first aid kit is vital with two of them toddling in different directions!

@ELW85 Thank you :) Your work sounds fab, exactly how employers should be! How was your walk and afternoon tea today?

@MrsR16 Bubble wrap is very tempting 🙈 maybe we could develop some sort of bubble wrap baby grow to put these daredevil children in :)

@Fivebyfive2 It was horrible. I'm an early years teacher so I've seen some cracking bumps and scrapes in my time and stay pretty chill about it all but it was completely different seeing my own little one hurt. Trying now not to hover too much and hold her back from trying things. Haha, I bet you gave your parents a few heart attacks in your time then! Joe sounds like a character too and you are very welcome to join our club, bring a first aid box for the kiddos and cake and gin for the grown ups 🤪 Just a point about toast, Daisy struggled a bit with bread to start with and got it all stuck on the roof of her mouth. I thought she'd eaten a lot but then noticed during a nappy change it was all gluey and stuck to the roof of her mouth. Bit of a hazard if you don't notice and it dislodges. Just to make you aware that might happen. We found toasting it until it was crispy or using wholemeal/seeded bread stopped it going quite so gluey. If it does get stuck though, I read it's not advised to get it out with your fingers (you can end up forcing it back) but instead give them a spoon to play with to get it unstuck themselves. Not a drama and don't want to put you off trying it, but just do check to see Joe is managing to actually swallow it and isn't storing it haha. Daisy figured it out within probably a month and is fine with all bread now :) One of the best finger foods we've had though has been roasted butternut squash. Slice into strips, bit of oil and roast for around 30 minutes. Stays in one piece enough to pick up but is super soft and mushy when they chew :)

Morning all!

How are we?

Totally demolished that afternoon tea but it’s not your dainty kind; massive bloomer sandwiches, a wedge of pie/quiche, huge cream scone and a wedge of cake.
I still have the scone to tackle and only half the quiche was eaten. Well worth the drive!

@TrashKitten10 - I have realised I’m very lucky with work. That and I think they’re desperate for me to come back as they didn’t backfill me and got my boss to do it...
We ended up abandoning the walk. Got to the coast and zero social distance or masks, so DH didn’t want to chance it. Just picked up the afternoon tea early and went home. How was your weekend?

@Fivebyfive2 - I hope the duck feeding was fun?

Hi all! Thought I’d pop back in now I’m feeling a bit less wonky. I thought I was coping ok with the pandemic situation, but bizarrely I’m finding it harder now than during lockdown. I think at first I was so preoccupied with a newborn and recovering from a very long, tiring labour / being hospitalised shortly after and that was all I could focus on, so I didn’t really mind it. In one way, it was actually nice having the excuse to stay in, bond and recover in peace.

But now I’m feeling back to normal and have got slightly more to grips with having a baby 😅, it feels so much harder. I want to get out and about, but it’s difficult. I live smack bang in the middle of a tourist destination and it is absolutely heaving. I don’t begrudge people having a holiday, but nobody is social distancing whatsoever. It’s so anxiety inducing. I actually heard one person say “I’ve come to X to get away from all that social distance rubbish”. Aghrrrr!!!

Anyway, besides all that fun, M and I are doing grand. She’s a right hoot and, so long as she’s not tired or hungry, full of smiles and laughs. She’s progressed from baby rice to puréed veg and is consequently loving life. So far she’s had avocado, courgette, broccoli and peas - chomped it all. I know I was a bit precious about the weaning comments (sorry, I really was feeling quite fragile 😳) but I’m so glad we started, she’s got such an appetite on her and it’s the highlight of her day (girl after my own heart 😂). We’re focused on greens at the mo, then next week we’re doing sweeter/neutral veg, then fruit. I know all the advice is that it’s just supposed to be a taste at this point, but she properly dines out 😂

Anyway, me, me, meeee!!! 😬

@MrsEG I’m so so sorry to hear about your work. It’s like they’ve pulled the rug out from underneath you. It feels so devious, especially considering you’re two thirds of the way through Mat leave so haven’t got loads of time to plan an alternative. That attitude alone would put me right off going back. I do hope they’re flexible. Women really do get f’d over in this situation, it’s so unfair. Glad your thyroid issue has been flagged, but so annoying it took so long. How’re you feeling now? In brighter news I’m overjoyed for your sister, and big joint birthday parties will be amazing! It sounds like the boys are both doing wonderfully too ❤️

@ELW85 I identify so hard with all of your thoughts on sleep / questioning / looking for variables. I’ve come to the conclusion that hopefully it’ll all just work out and, for me at least, the best thing is to just follow her lead and go with the flow. Both of our babes have shown they are capable of getting to sleep on their own, so I think it’ll happen. No doubt tomorrow I’ll have changed my tune entirely....ahhh sleep deprivation! 🤪. Side note: that afternoon tea sounds outrageously good.

@TrashKitten10 aghrrr what a big stress for you - sounds like you definitely did the right thing and I’m glad she’s OK. I am pretty certain M will be joining the spirited babies club too 😂. Also a HUGE well done on the new job, I’m so impressed you aced an interview. I can barely remember what day it is!

@Fivebyfive2 it sounds like Joes sleep is improving! So chuffed for you. When did you give him his own spoon out of interest? M so wants to feed herself.

@MrsR16 how did you get on at your parents? Sounds lovely!

Right, that’s an actual novel so I better stop harping on. Take care all x

@purplefig - OMG so lovely to hear from you! And you weren’t precious about anything! All this parenting stuff is very personal and affects everyone differently.
I question myself on a daily basis but think I’m getting better at it (the irony in saying ‘think’ in that sentence!)
I’d be anxious too, especially as we’re apparently relying on ‘common sense’ to navigate around a second peak.
My biggest concern (apart from a deadly pandemic) with Finn is that he just isn’t the sort of baby who’ll nod off. So if we were out at a friends and it was nap time, he wouldn’t just pass out in the pram so it totally limits my options.
Like you say, I’m sure it’ll get there.
So pleased that M is thriving! I’ve just ordered a food prep machine, so hoping to wean early to see if it helps with reflux.
And the afternoon tea was immense 😀

@TrashKitten10, thank you for the toast tip, I'll be sure to try him on crispy bread when there is another person with me I think!! How's Daisy doing? Xx

@ELW85, glad the afternoon tea was everything you hoped it would be 😋 It sounds amazing! We had fun in the park... Joe was wide awake, fresh from a 2 hour nap and wanted to be carried all the time, so he could look around better 😂

@purplefig, helloooo!! So l lovely to 'see' you 🙂 M sounds like she's coming on a treat! I had a similar attitude to Joe with sleeping and it is gradually getting better. He's going longer stretches more regularly, the last 2 days he's even had decent naps! I now feed to 'sleepy' and let him drift off in my lap or put him in his pod and mostly he goes off. In the middle of the night I must admit I'm still feeding to sleep though, but that's just survival in my opinion! With weaning, Joe basically took the spoon himself on the 2nd day and never looked back 😂 We load it up, he reaches and takes it and shovels it in. I'm not sure he'd have had the coordination if we'd have weaned him early, but maybe give it a go and see how she goes?? Sounds like she's doing really well on her food, that's great! Xx

Dh went back to work today after 2 weeks holiday. I was dreading it, but it was actually nice having more 1 to 1 time with Joe again. He's been golden today too, which always helps! His little face absolutely lit up when his papa came in though 😍 Everyone is fed, everything is clean and Joe is in bed, dh and I are gonna watch telly with some cookies. Win!

How's everyone's Monday? Xx

Morning ladies! Had a testing 48 hours with the boys (teething plus babies with colds - what did I do to deserve this haha!) - I went to bed at 9pm last night and slept til 5:30. The boys are still fast asleep. I feel like I’ve been recharged!

A new plot twist to my work saga - I contacted one of the two women I know who works a 3-day week to see if she’s been asked to switch to 4 days - she told me she does do 4 days now, but it was entirely her decision. She altered her day’s as both of her children are now in school so it was always her plan come September but with lockdown and WFH/school and nursery closed she started earlier as her husband was furloughed. She said absolutely no one has told or approached her about this being company policy. I just don’t know what to do! I keep going back and forth on it. We simply cannot afford another day of nursery - the cost is another 2 days for us. My parents could take them but they’ll be 70 next year and the boys would be so challenging for them for an entire day, plus my sister will have a newborn come Feb and I’m sure she’ll really be needing their help having a toddler at home too. It really has thrown me. I don’t know what to do at all and now 1 Dec feels so close!

@ELW85 Oh I’m always dreaming of Rose haha! That afternoon tea sounds incredible. I feel the same as you about the boys in that they never really just nod off of their own accord, when we’ve met up with friends their babies will drift off in their arms or in the carrier but the boys don’t at all! Even if they sleep in the pram, if the pram stops they’re up (Conor within seconds!!!)
I was actually chatting to my sister about it all, saying how the day feels so restricted at the moment around all the naps and she told me not to worry, she hardly did anything on mat leave - she had 2 classes she did in the week and those were her only plans. And she was saying they ditch the late afternoon nap swiftly followed by the morning one by the time they’re one so you’re not constantly looking at the clock panicking about bloody nap time! They’ll just have one big nap and that’s it. The boys will be 10 months by the time they start nursery so defo down to 2 naps and maybe even dropping to one so when I think of it like that it actually might be fine; I know I can’t ask the nursery to put up blackout blinds and play fan sounds haha, but I’m sure if they’re playing and learning etc come lunchtime they should be shattered for that snooze!

@Fivebyfive2 check you out with the food prep!! Ah must be tough DH going back when you’re used to him being around all day! The gyms reopen next Saturday so that’s DH gone and I’m dreading it!

@TrashKitten10 Oh god, definitely - genuinely already have a first aid kit haha! I keep it with all my pamphlets and notes from the course I did! They’re already thrashing about on the playmat constantly like they wanna crawl 😫

@purplefig Hello! Sounds like M is doing brilliantly! I feel the same; lockdown easing has only made me wanna stay home even more. Me and DH went to the pub on Sunday and I have to say it was great and felt very safe/clean but I was still very anxious the whole time and can’t imagine I’ll make a habit of it. It’s the whole ‘no masks anywhere’ bit I struggle with especially in the supermarkets. I do wear one, but it seems pointless when only about 10% of other people in there are - the staff don’t!!
Glad to hear you are feeling better though :)

Have a great day everyone! I’ve started a small side hustle with baking recently so a long day of making Kinder Bueno fudge ahead of me haha!

Morning ladies!! Hope we're all ok 😊 I wrote a long reply yesterday and then lost it all, so I'll try again 😂

@ELW85 I started Ethan a bit earlier with some purées - probably about 4.5/5 months. I know it's not recommended but he was so ready for it! He was sitting well by himself, had epic head control and whenever DH and I were eating, he'd have his mouth wide open like a baby bird! 😂 Finn's really cheeky! Look at that face 😍

@MrsEG that's awful that you get no extra help whatsoever with multiples! It's difficult enough being a parent without money worries thrown in... I hope lunch went ok! What a palaver with your work! They're definitely not right to do what they're doing... I would seriously get in touch with ACAS sooner rather than later. You've got 3 months from the date that they started being an issue to raise a claim. Not that you're necessarily going to go down that route, but they're great for advice! You may also be able to find an employment solicitor who does 30 mins free advice. The other option is if you have legal expenses on your home insurance, you may not have to pay anything for advice anyway! Definitely worth asking around - they seem like they're absolutely taking the mickey and they're definitely wandering into discrimination territory!

@Fivebyfive2 the weekend was lovely! Ethan decided that he wouldn't settle for anyone but me, which wasn't helpful when all I could hear on my conference call was him screaming at my parents 😂 but we got there! How did the duck feeding go?

@TrashKitten10 oh we should! Quick, patent the Baby Bubble! 🤣

@purplefig oh hey! I'm so glad you popped back in 😊 great to hear you're doing better and M's clearly doing really well! My weekend was really good thank you! Aside from the 5am wake up on Sunday... 😂 note to self - actually remember to take the portable blackout blinds with us next time!

Morning all

I’ve had a horrible realisation that Finn is massively overtired and isn’t going into a deep sleep. He had been a couple of days ago so not sure if crib napping threw him off but I’m basically gonna spend the next couple of days getting him caught up.
A 5am meltdown was a bit too much this morning and it’s just not fair on him!

@Fivebyfive2 - ah I’m so pleased you had a lovely time at the park! I know I keep saying it and shouldn’t but I can’t wait til Finn is older and can enjoy stuff like that without me panicking about getting him back for a nap!

@MrsEG - I wish I did have the sort of baby who would just drop off anywhere! It would make life so much less stressful! I completely relate to everything you’ve said and it’s nice to remember that they don’t need to nap this much forever.
Regards work you need to challenge in my opinion. They’ve put you in a position of financial detriment and are also making it impossible for you to return. You had a good faith agreement with your boss that you can evidence and they aren’t working with you on a compromise. A lot of solicitors would work with that to bring a case for constructive dismissal.
Obviously you don’t want to go down that route but you need to fight. What do you have to lose if they won’t budge?

@MrsR16 - Finn sounds loads like Ethan! I can’t eat without him staring at it and lunging forwards 😂

@MrsR16 thanks so much, I’m going to get in touch with ACAS today and take it from there. I’ve never had to do anything like this before so feel a bit nervous about it but I have to stick up for myself here I know! How is Ethan getting on?

@ELW85 It is hard though isn’t it on the tough days to be able to even think about the future months!! But I try and keep that in the back of my head now - they won’t need all these damn naps forever and we‘ll be able to do so much more with our days in a few months time! I’m honestly just trying to drink them in as babies at the moment. I was looking at photos of them as newborns and I can’t understand where the time has gone and the changes that have happened already!
Thanks so much for the advice, I’m gonna go for it. I’m gonna use in my argument as well that even though past 3-day workers now do 4, they worked capably on 3-days for at least 3 years that I can remember!! And it does feel discriminatory I think too. I’m terrified to send the email but I know I need to stick up for myself here!

@ELW85 haha! The time will fly by anyway, so even if you do wait till the recommended 6 months, it won't take long to get there!

@MrsEG they're honestly really helpful! I work (well, before mat leave anyway!) for an employment solicitor and she'd definitely have taken it on for you...

@MrsEG - to be fair the time is flying!
You’re 100% doing the right thing about work. I know it’s scary but nobody else at that place is going to fight to give you a fair deal, so you’ve got to go for it. It really pisses me off that employers try to find things that work for them and don’t consider the fallout for everyone else. Or worse yet, do it knowingly.
Fuck em! As we used to say in my old employer (I worked for a venture capital firm so it was really cutthroat!)

Hi all, my god I'm knackered! After napping like a pro yesterday, having lots of play and plenty of food and milk, Joe was up every 2 hours and was awake 4.30 till 6am! He then woke at 7, had 39 mins about 9.30 till 10... Aaaand has Just gone down to sleep finally!! I'm desperately hoping he has at least an hour 🤞

Weird though he's not been that grumpy, has been really chattering and even did a tiiiiiny little crawl earlier! I'm talking about a centimetre, so think we have a while to go before he's fully mobile, bless him.

I'm sitting downstairs now, trying not to eat all the brownies I stocked up on; my friend is on the way over and we're supposed to be sharing 😂

@Fivebyfive2 - oh my god that sounds exhausting!! And developmental though? A tiny little crawl is still huge!