August 2007 - milk, mash or puree - take your pick and take cover!

[shrinkingsagpuss]

James - sorry, couldn't wait any longer... hope my link works...

hi everyone! hope you're all having good evening.

tasha it's good to hear lo is doing well now,must be big relief for you. is there quite a gap before his next op to give you both time to recover?

james i'm glad you've sorted work out. i still don't know what's happning with my work. all very well my dh saying i'll just have to go ack full tim, that is actually imossible, no way we could get childcare to cover the hours we need. my union rep says don't give up hope so keep fingers crossed!

dd had her first swimming lesson today. it was brilliant fun and she loved it. totally knackering for me though! walking round and round whilst crouching to keep her on the water - my legs were like jelly afterwards!

the house move seems to be progressing. survey's been done, mortgage accepted, carpets chosen. latest time scale is four weeks. time to think about packing!

ha ha banana - this will be your life from now on (never to be alone that is!). The best bit is when you sneak off to the toilet and a child comes after you with a book to sit on your lap and read! DS1 can open all the locks from the outside. Oh - and why is it that dh can manage to sneak off for hours at a time!

Feeling very tired and should go to bed but can't be bothered to move. ds1 was up til 1 being sick was nearly 2 before I got to bed and ds2 up from 4.30. At least it got me to clean the bathrooms and change the beds - I really am a scummy mummy!

Woo leifmum, it's all happening so fast for you, you must be excited! Must be hard having to think about a move and going back to work all at once, plus organising childcare. Would you have to work crazy hours then?

I'll be classed as self-employed with this job, which is a bit scary. I don't know much about it so I'm having a read but it's all new.

Pink, as a childminder are you self employed? and is it a pain in the arse to sort out?

aaargh loler don't say that! the thought that this is a phase is all that got me through today without cracking up. Chanting it in my head, I was. itsaphaseitsaphaseitsaphase...

loler! give her a little hope im still going through that phase with ds2 james but not as much seperation as he is always clung to my leg cries until i pick him up though. done the boo thing with ds1 didnt have time to with ds2 and prob wont with ds3 but then lately i always seem to be holding him anyways. ds1 called me a very bad word yeserday obviously my fault entirely all 3 in the land of nod atm
leifmum omg 4 weeks! its happening so fast. good luck with the packing. i moved into this house 2 weeks after lo was born very very stressful....ok lo was in special care unit but it was an hours drive there and an hour back so the house is only really begining to come together now.
lo is due his next op in 3 to 6 months. pmsl just got image of myself and the 3 boys going swimming! good to hear you are all getting out and doing different things. i took another walk out yesterday to visit my great gran think she was a bit overwhelmed though! im sure she apreciated the quiet after we left
loler hope the kids let you have a bit more sleep tonite.
im not going to go to paris gonna go see a west end show in london billy elliot. not sure im gonna enjoy myself without the kids though
ok im rambling now cause im putting off my essay. please someone give me a kick up the arse!

my legs are aching soooo much from yesterday's exploits in the pool! feels good though to know i actually got some exercise too!

thought about you james and the meerkats! none at our pool thankfully! those kittens are so cute. hope to get a couple of cats when we move. not straight away but maybe in the summer. the hours i work in my current job are 8-4 in the winter and 8-6 in summer, including every other weekend. but because i have to travel to london, with the commuting time i'll be out of the house from just after 6 until nearly 8, especially as when we move i'll have to drive to get to the train station instead of walking up the road so full time just really seems a non starter. i'm looking for local jobs and buying 2 lottery tickets a week

beautiful sunshine today so when lo wakes up from her nap think we'll go for a walk.

tasha i saw billy elliot a couple of years ago and it was amazing. very moving and tear jerking. i hope you enjoy it

anyone got plans for the weekend?

Wow, that's a lot of hours leifmum, no wonder you're looking for a new job. Best of luck with that!

Not sure when I'm going to be getting started on my job, but my maternity money runs out on the 15th so if I work a week in hand from monday it should work out nicely to bridge the gap iyswim.

Recorded a clip of James eating some porridge the other day to test the video bit on our camera. link here - be warned, rather like my posts, it's quite long and not very exciting! I was trying to get him to smile throughout but he was torn between wanting the porridge, and watching the tweenies Does anyone have any clips of their babies online, or latest pics?

...oh and just in case you notice the bogging state of my carpet, that was recorded shortly after the hoover blew up! I have hoovered since, honestly, with the rather pathetic 1300 cylinder I found under the stairs when we moved in. Had to go over it about four times though it's so weak. I think I could do a better job if I got on all fours and sucked at it myself. (But enough about my lovelife, hemhem)

how cute is he! and such a good wee eater. ds1 said 'hes a gud boy eatin all his dinner' ill pop back later and put a video on if i can...

leifmum- yea does seem like allot of hours hope you find something more suited. im off out tonight! going to a place called bar retro its quite good im so excited!

hi all, have been in bed since jan 29th-nearly ended up in hospital, i have cholecystitis!!! am drugges up to the eyeballs and currently staying at PIL so they can help with ds. Anyway i was just up tp take more pain killers.

Hope you're all ok

p.s Callum is now eating really well, thankfully!

Will post again when i feel a bit better

p.s james is sooooooooooooo cute in the video x x x

sorry you're not well at the moment helibee! hope you begin to feel better soon. me and lo are sending some positive vibes your way - hope they help!

have seen a part time job advertised that i'm going to apply for. it's to do the newborn hearing screening at the maternity unit where i had dd. wouldn't earn much money but seeing as i'm facing the prospect of earning no money at the moment figured there's no harm in trying! haven't faced looking at the application form yet. i've only had the one job at ZSL since i left uni and so i always struggle to make it look good. i have worked my way up through several positions though so i guess i just need to be creative about how i explain it all. will tackle the form when dd's in bed later.

so far she's shown no signs of wanting her post breakfast nap which is really messing up my plans!!

have a lovely day everyone

hi james! just watched the video. he really is a star! can't believe how he makes no mess when eating! we're currently decorating the living room with weetabix!!!!!

Morning folks,

Helibee, sorry to hear you're poorly I had no idea what cholecystitis was so just had a look on google, it sounds painful! Get well soon! Glad little Callum is doing ok. Is he enjoying the change of scenery at pil's?

leifmum, the fact that you've been in the same job so long is an asset to a CV, not a flaw! Don't do yourself down.

James has only recently got a bit less messy, this is from when we started weaning... The blw is another matter though, those pancakes the other day were horrendous, it got everywhere! I even found a tiny rolled up nugget of philly and broccoli in his bum crack at bathtime, now how did he manage that?

Was up REALLY late restocking the freezer with babyfood last night, made carrot, squash and sweet potato, apple plum and pear, and an enormous pan of veggie lentil pasta. Really need to have a look at some new recipe ideas for him later, running out of inspiration a bit!

What's everyone's babies favourite foods? Any "must try" recommendations? I'd say James's top five include any kind of cheese, plums, pear, banana custard, and butternut squash.

Tasha, have you got a hangover then? Fancy a nice greasy fry up? Come and tell us about your night out!

So, so tired.

thats terrible helibee hope you get well soon.
go for it leifmum it sounds perfect..just dont get too broody
oooooooo i feel sooo sick drank far to much and lost my phone

Dear Alcohol,

First and foremost, let me tell you that I'm a huge fan of yours. My friend, you always seem to be there when needed. The perfect post-work cocktail, a beer at the pub, and you're even around in the holiday's hidden inside chocolates as you warm us when we're stuck in the midst of endless family gatherings. However, lately I've been wondering about your intentions.

While I want to believe that you may have my best interests at heart, I feel that your influence has led to some unwise consequences.

1. Phone calls: While I agree with you that communication is important, I question the suggestion that any conversation of substance or necessity takes place after 2AM. Why would you make me a call those ex-boyfriends/ girlfriends when I know for a fact that they do not want to hear from me during the day, let alone all hours of the night?

1. Eating: Now, you know I love a good meal, but why do you suggest that I eat a kebab with chilli sauce, along with stale chips (washed down with WINE & topped off with a Kit Kat after a few Doritos & chilli dip)? I'm an eclectic eater, but I think you went too far this time.
2. Clumsiness: Unless you're subtly trying to tell me that I need to do more yoga to improve my balance, I see NO need to hammer the issue home by causing me to fall down. It's completely unnecessary, and the black & blue marks that appear on my body mysteriously the next day are beyond me. Similarly, it should never take me more than 45 seconds to get the front door key into the lock.

1. Furthermore: The hangovers have GOT to stop. This is getting ridiculous. I know a little penance for our previous evening's debauchery may be in order, but the 4PM hangover immobility is completely unacceptable. My entire day is shot. I ask that, if the proper precautions are taken (water, vitamin B, bread products, aspirin) prior to going to sleep/passing out face down on the kitchen floor with a bag of popcorn, the hangover should be minimal & in no way interfere with my daily activities.

Alcohol, I have enjoyed our friendship for some years now & would like to ensure that we remain on good terms. You've been the invoker of great stories, the provocation for much laughter, and the needed companion when I just don't know what to do with the extra money in my pockets. In order to continue this friendship, I ask tht you carefully review my grievances above & address them immediatelyI will look for an answer no later than Thursday 3pm (pre-happy hour) on your possible solutions & hopefully we can continue this fruitful partnership.

Thank you, Your Biggest Fan

LOL tasha, no sympathy from me if it's self inflicted!

I'm making some potato cakes off aitch's babyledweaning blog for lo's tea. This morning dp and I had a bet over whether James would like what I'd made him for breakfast: marmite on toast! Dp's a lover, and I'm a hater, so the jury was out on whether lo would like it or not, but it's good for you so I handed the toasty soldiers over, and waited for the reaction... and in a highly disappointing anticlimax, there wasn't one! He just shovelled it in the same as he does with regular toast.

I'm beginning to think I've given birth to a dustbin!

helibee

Sorry your are feeling so ill. My sister used suffer from it until she had her gall bladder out and is now much better.

Tasha i hope you are now feeling a bit better, can't help with any wise words to help as i don't drink.

James as for favorite weaning foods i would have to say for Lexie it would be anything that is not milk . She has manage 6oz's twice this week .

I am a bad mummy tonight as i told Lizzie that it was 7oclock and they were both in bed by 6pm as i am tried and have PMT and i need some ME time.

Well done getting the job james - you must be so relieved. Alex hasn't been himself the last few days and has gone back to screaming when we put him to bed. I think he's got a sore throat and he's been coughing a lot so he's not well, poor thing. I didn't even bother putting him down awake tonight. I didn't even get dressed til dh came in from his bike ride at 2pm today Ds was really hard work today and I couldn't wait for him to go to bed (and I've never thought that since he was born).

lol loler. I'm the same. The only reason I cleaned the bathroom sink 2 weeks ago was cos dh had been sick in it. The same goes with the ds's sheets.

leifmum - would you be able to reduce your hours slightly and work through lunch. I used to work 9-6 but now I do 9-4.30. That's 30 mins less per day and no lunch break. Obviously that meant a small pay reduction and I only leave my desk to go to the toilet but it's worth it.

Hope you get better soon helibee, not sure what that it but it sounds awful.

Ds had weetabix for the first time today (as he's nearly 6 months). He ate most of it. He wasn't sure but lapped it up when it was softer.

hey gill! hope alex feels better soon. my worst time of day is always between 6.30 and 7 then as soon as bedtime routine starts i breathe a sigh of relief! then of course 10 minutes after bed i'm missing dd and want her to be awake again! I'm doing another keeping in touch day at work tomorrow so will find out if there's been any more developments job wise. i must admit i'm not feeling hopeful. i will suggest reducing my hours but i know that if i remain doing the work i am currently the answer will be a flat no! it's just because of health and safety, a minimum number of staff must be on at all times. it just makes me really upset that it's so difficult to stay working for the society when you have a child, unless you're at director level and can afford a full time nanny!!!!!

have just been watching the news about the fire at camden market. it's such a shame. we used to go there every weekend when i was at school and with it being just down the road from work i still used to go a lot. it really is a special place. and more selfishly i hope the tube station will be open tomorrow so i don't have a long walk!!!

hope your head is feeling better tasha! i really can't remember the last time i had a proper hang over (said with a slight pang of regret!) I think if i was working on the maternity ward i would get broody but it just sounds like a lovely job.

i've started filling out the application form. most of it is straight forward apart from the bit where you list your last five employers and positions. have done my current job but haven't decided how to explain the positions leading up to it. hopefully dh will have some words of wisdom!

trying to get dd to practise sitting up. she's surrounded by cushions and is basically loving throwing herself backwards. much more fun than sitting up!

have a sunny sunday!

leifmum i heard about the fire my dad works near there, sounds terrible. hope nobody was hurt?
im feeling much better now! dont think ill be out again 4 a while. i drank a bottle of wine before i even left the house
ive tried lo on a couple of different purees and i gave him a banana and apple yesterday and he came out in blue blotches over his face??i can see he is going to be a complicated baby but he seems to enjoy his dinner or what he manages to keep in his mouth. he sneezes alot when he is eating because it goes into his nose.
how do i put videos on?youtube wont work. well im off to do bedtime routine. lo has been asleep for a couple of hours now

Hello folks! been out for the afternoon to my sisters, J has enjoyed a few hours of being absolutely spoilt with cuddles and kisses and was flat out in the car on the way home. Hopefully he'll sleep better tonight as the past couple of nights he'd had me up four or five times, I suspect it's because he hasn't been opening his mouth wide enough at mealtimes so hasn't eaten as much as usual. I have no idea why he's doing that, as he seems to like the food, so maybe it's his teeth hurting him again.

Tried him with sharon fruit today (persimmon?) which he seemed to really enjoy although it was a bit of a pain in the bum as it was so slippery I kept having to give it back to him every 15 seconds!

Glad you're feeling better tasha! Why did lo's face go blotchy and blue? that sounds odd, could he breathe ok whilst eating? Not sure why youtube isn't working for you, how big is the video you're trying to upload?

Gill, hope Alex's throat is better, I don't suppose there's much you can do other than give him calpol, poor little thing. Hope you get some sleep tonight.

Leifmum, on the application I would put a foreword if you can just saying you've worked in the same place for x many years, then list the different positions in the relevant boxes, but make sure the employer is aware they're all for the same company. Good luck with it!

Hi everyone,
I only recognise Jamesandthegiantbanana as my old friend bananabump, and GillL...hello! I am celebrating Isabel having reached 24 weeks yesterday. Today she had her first taste of babyrice after two weeks of reaching for mummy's spoon at breakfast. I can say I breastfed for six months - yay.
I have tried to catch up with all your news but it is hard to trace anything past November last year so I am just dropping in to congratulate everyone on having reached the six month mark or thereabouts (as I was one of the last in our crew to give birth). Since having Isabel, I have on course moved countries to Australia, with all the stress that involves, just as Isabel turned three months - she spent her first Christmas with extended family so that was nice, and have been staying with family pending house purchase so not very good internet access. Would love to post photos to my profile but I think I have really missed the boat on that one as I have admired all those you have all posted months ago in November!
She is such a happy vocal baby with big blue eyes and a smattering of dark looking hair that may or may not curl eventually. You would never know to look at her gorgeous smile that her mother has been a mess of homesickness for London and other worries since we arrived.
Well good luck with the weaning stage everyone. I am already missing my baby being tiny even as I look forward to her enjoying all this lovely food.
I have done no sleep training at all. Feel awfully guilty about this but it is a bit hard living in one room in someone else's house so she starts the night in her cot and finishes tucked up with Mum on a regular basis. Ah well.

hiya kiteflying sounds like youve had a stressful time. we are thinking of moving to australia but were still at the very begining. any tips? i have 3 ds's, not sure if i joined after your move or before so ill introduce myself anyways, my boys are 3years 1 year and 5 months. im a sahm. that just about sums me up
james im not sure y he went blotchy he was breathing ok but started geting annoyed so i stopped, just think he is going to be a complicated child because i had 2 straightforward ones my video is alot shorter than yours ill try again later.