December 06: For my first birthday mummy I would like.......

[Indith]

Here you go Eli!

I almost put 'your clothespegs' on the end there. Ds loves clothespegs. Came home from Rainbows the other day and dp had made a deal with ds. He could play with the clothespegs as long as he did it in his playpen and let dp make dinner.

Oh, and also hurrah for BP's DSD (DSS??) and Jabber's clients

Thanks for the congrats, everyone. Dh tends to occasionally rain on my parade so it's nice to get an atta-girl from my cyber-buddies

And big congratulations to your DSS (?) bp. Lol at you being a step-grandmother, though.

Indith, don't fret about the next one so soon. You'll never be able to guess what s/he will be like anyway, lol. Except I should admit that ds2 is exactly what I had hoped for so maybe a little wishful thinking to the baby spirit world helped And of course, once they are here, no matter how they turn out you can't imagine life without them. But then, you already know all of this.

gosh, bp, sounds horrific (the encephalitis I mean), I'm sure it must have been a huge thing when you were young and for your parents too.
congrats on the client(s?) jabber, that's great, how's the house move going?
I do work p/t that's the thing, have done ever since ds1 was born. I just feel stifled and frustrated there, even though it's a good and well-paid job I'm lucky to have! Just feel now is the time to be with my kids, complete opposite to my friend.

Is it the job itself as well, d'you think, AQ, or the being away from your kids? Nothing worse than having to feel grateful for a job you feel frustrated in, IME, sounds as though its not meeting your needs in some way? Or would it feel just as bad if it were more creative/stretching/fun?

Worms now seemingly gone, and DH going wild with his new gadget (steam cleaner) which for once I'm encouraging

dd2 v pale and coldy, dd1 pale and clingy, and me slight upset tummy. Have switched my Worm-Watch-Paranoia over to D&V

Aw, AQ, not sure what to say. It sounds like you wish you liked your job and feel that you should like it but that you just really don't. Kind of like trying to logic yourself out of depression as my therapist used to say - it just doesn't work. Is there anything different that you can do to make it more exciting or could you just stay home for a while? Or do some kind of work from home? Although I've never been able to figure out how anyone does that!

Eli, fingers crossed the bug passes you all over.

And yes, it's just one client for sure atm but a good chance at the second one. I'm to check back in a month or two.

As far as the move, I'm trying to pack a few boxes every day. Dh and my dad are going to make a trip next month with non-essentials, then we plan to do another one in March with the final move in May. My parents are moving back as well so we have two households in full swing with packing!

Aw, AQ, not sure what to say. It sounds like you wish you liked your job and feel that you should like it but that you just really don't. Kind of like trying to logic yourself out of depression as my therapist used to say - it just doesn't work. Is there anything different that you can do to make it more exciting or could you just stay home for a while? Or do some kind of work from home? Although I've never been able to figure out how anyone does that!

Eli, fingers crossed the bug passes you all over.

And yes, it's just one client for sure atm but a good chance at the second one. I'm to check back in a month or two.

As far as the move, I'm trying to pack a few boxes every day. Dh and my dad are going to make a trip next month with non-essentials, then we plan to do another one in March with the final move in May. My parents are moving back as well so we have two households in full swing with packing!

Ohhh, elibean, so hope it's not the beginning of anything for any of you! You've nearly made it to the end of Jan!
FGS, how's the clinginess going? Or how are you coping with it? I hated that period with a vengeance, it must be why I liked being with ds1 so much from 18mo+ because he didn't do it! DS2 is kinda going the other way, which I'm finding a bit sad although he's so deliciously giggly at present (esp with ds1 on the bed together!).
Jabber, do I understand you to say you've potty trained ds2 ?? Your parents moved to be near you and now they're moving again for the same reason, they are fab aren't they?
I feel totally confused about work, it's interesting, they let me work some hours from home already (e.g. do website updates), nice colleagues, I've just had enough and it doesn't feel satisfying compared to being with the boys. I'm only there 8.30-4.30 3 days a week fgs! I have no interest in another job, dp & I are looking at some business-options (e.g. selling bags or running a portal-style website where the ads would bring in the money) but I just seem to persuade myself into taking the jump. When the thought of being there for the start of another academic year (Sept) makes me want to scream. Thinking of seeking some advice, maybe some life coaching. I have it all, it's pathetic that I am miserable about this.

Lol, just re-read that post and it did sound like that didn't it? Nope, it's ds1 -who's 4 1/2 next month fgs! - that I have finally got back into underwear. Let's see, that potty training regression lasted, yep, 1 year! And he's still not dry at night again yet nor 100 percent accident free.

Hum

I just realised ds has another tooth. Reason I've not noticed? It is really not where I thought it would be!

He now has 2 bottom middle then 4 top middle with big gap between 2 front teeth and then a tooth right towards the back on the left. Looks kind of incisor like but where the pre molars or even molars should go!

Should I have a serious nhs dentist search? Or is one too early to worry and just leave it and see what comes through next?

Dont worry Indith.

DD2 got 2 bottom middle teeth then two top fang teeth then a one of the middle and then 2 big ones next to where molars go. Totally different to DD1s.

yes I know order varies just that it doesnt look like a molar or pre molar! Ah well I shall be patient

There must be more to come, ds is on my knee eating organix crispy carrot sticks having screamed at his dinner and even refused yoghurt!

Indith, the tooth might change a bit once it's established maybe? I wouldn't panic yet, any road.
Jabber, ahh, should have thought that through. It's amazing how long it can go on for, I was chatting to a woman today whose son is on movicol and has been for a year (he's only coming up to 3). DS1 had 3 accidents today, 2 where the trousers + pants had to be changed as he gets soaked. I can't think there's been an accident-free day since back in nappies 2 months ago, but I try really hard not to think about it or I would get upset. Things have improved and I know I have to be positive with him, I still give out stickers for even sitting on the potty! I do hope it's alright for school in Sept!

I posted earlier today from work but it hasn't appeared.

I'm only on for a quick moan (apologies to everyone) We had a big blow-out with DD1 tonight about food. I know I shouldn't get wound up about it, but there are only so many nights I can let her go hungry, and all she'd eaten all day was 2 cream crackers and a couple of slices of ham. So when she turned her nose up at tea again, I saw red. So that set DH off, and he's all grumpy now, and I'm angry with myself , and DD1 seems quite happy asleep in bed with a tuna wrap eaten just before bedtime inside her (Looks like mum caved in again).

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!

Not being sick, just still struggling with mounds of washing/ironing/hoovering and an inreasingly bad back

Thanks for wishes, so far they're working - colds and sore throats here, but no D&V! Maybe the Dettol wipes I've been using all over the house for the worms killed my friend's bug too??

Want to post back re teeth and fussy eaters and will be back later hopefully...

Ooh, Eli - watch your back. Don't accept little 'twinges' or low-level back pain. Or I'll get on my soap box and start shouting about getting to the doc and a physio referral!

Glad to hear there's no D&V in your house. Well done with the Dettol wipes!

Hi Guys

I've been to the hospital today for a referral about my knee. They think I have a cartilage problem. It could be easy to fix or very complicated but they wont know until the do an MRI scan so now I have to wait for that.

AQ - DD2 seems a little better and not so clingy. Everything crossed.

BP - I used to get so wound up about food with DD1 but it really isnt worth it. Does DD prefer picnic type teas? If so then make a big thing out of having picnics where she can pick what she wants (from a range of things you have selected). Gradually evolve the menu so it is a bit more substantial. My DD loves nothing more than jam sandwich, cucumber, grapes and hula hoops. She has it for at least 4 lunches a week. I used to feel terrible but I figure at least she is eating, there is some fuit in there and she always finishes with a yoghurt or banana so actually its not a bad meal.

Eli - dont ignore back pain as it can get worse quite quickly. Hope you have avoided D&V

Ouch, FGS Seem to remember my DSM having similar knee problems, v painful, in the end she had minor keyhole surgery and is now back to climbing hills and skiing - hope yours is easy to fix, whens the MRI?

I hear you both re back, promise, see osteopath from time to time as have dodgy back anyway (family trait, sister and mother too) which ironically only ever feels really fine when pg. Shame I can't use that remedy again

As for eating...I agree with FGS; not worth the battles, though OH so easy to fall into some days. dd1 is pretty good, but far more limited in what she'll eat than she used to be.

If veggies are an issue, but she likes a) DVDs and b) raw veggies, you could try what I do - every evening I give the dds a plate of assorted raw veggies (cucumber, toms, peppers, carrots, even bean or two, or a sprig of raw broccoli sometimes) in front of a DVD for half an hour. BEFORE supper. They are usually hungry at around this time, so nibble away whilst distracted, and I don't stress about veggies so much at mealtimes.

Unusually, this was actually a tip from my DSM who is not known for helpful advice re LOs - this one works a treat

Great suggestions, Eli and FGS. Tonight was a bit easier as she had beans and toast (won't have beans ON toast, oh no) I know that she will eat school dinners. I used to give her a packed lunch every day, but the school dinners are fab. Today she had steak pie with carrots and broccoli, tomorrow is haggis, neeps and tatties in honour of Mr Burns. So at least 3 times a week she has that and a light supper - si I'll give the picnics and pre-tea veggies a bash.

My mantra will henceforth be 'She won't starve' And thus, peace will reign in the BP household

FGS, hope your knee is easily sorted.

Sorry to hear about the knee, FGS Here's hoping it's the easy fix.

I like the veggie suggestion, eli. I'll try that with ds1 - he is soooo picky!

BP - my DD1 wont eat beans on toast either. The toast has to be on the side. She cant bear the idea of mixed up food so rarely has anything with sauces like cottage pie for example. She will however have an entire plate of carrots, broccoli and peas. Sometimes I just give her a plate of veg. Other times just pasta with ragu mixed in it (she would see that as one food item but if the sauce was just on a pile on top she wouldnt eat it)

Good luck.

My MRI should hopefully be within a month

Lol at your dd1's definition of food re: ragu.

Yesterday while I was at work ds2 apparently picked up his sippy cup, saw that it was empty and handed it to the nanny saying "water". I'm torn between being proud and sad that I missed it. And I'm home with him most of the time!! Maybe he saves up little tidbits for her He is also managing unbelievable climbing feats. Ds1 was not this bad and it's really getting difficult to keep up with him.

Love the veggies idea Eli. I would also love to try it but know DD2 will end up eating the lot. We don't have a food recycling bin - we have DD2. A couple of days ago I was trying to eat a crusty roll with bacon and lettuce. DS managed to eat all of it leaving me only the lettuce: "Don't give me any of that green stuff. Lettuce. Yuck"!

I do manage to give them veg in food though it's just separately where I have problems, so I don't bother much. DD1 is a bit like your DD FGS at the moment but with fruit. She will eat bananas and ANY OTHER fruit as long as it is in a smoothie!

On a positive note, DS is 6 in Feb (bless) and will try most things now. Except lettuce He also seems to have developed the appetite of a teenager, so I find myself just popping into Sainsbury's every day. It's the best feeling though when they eat isn't it?

Re talking: I'm sure DD2 is saying much more than the other two at this age. Yesterday she said "hello" so clearly I thought it was DD1 until DD1 exclaimed "mummy, DD2 said hello!". She also says "mik" pointing to the fridge, "ba" pointing to the bath, and "bed", though she isn't so keen to get in that one.

She took the bottom stair gate down herself a few days ago so I've left it as she climbs up the stairs quite happily and bombs down on her front (feet first). Apparently I was the same.

Ds2 is a stair bomber as well I'm amazed at the speed he picks up!

My kids are exactly the same about veg, they'll eat it in stuff but not seperately. But then I'm not too keen either! Soup is our godsend, cos they both love it, it's easy and nutritious. So tea tonight will be .....soup. DS2 has outgrown the fussy eater stage already, back to trying most things although he's so lazy about eating himself, wants me to spoon everything and I refuse!