Oct 07 - this little piggy stayed at home...

[Dalrymps]

Hey guys sorry for the sh*t title, if there's already been a new thread set up please direct me there???

Stefka, i am in tears here, it takes a lot for me to cry but i just can't stop now. if i didn't have kids here i would be out getting pissed now.....and maybe if knobsac comes back i might just go and do that anyways.

Alice, I woke up at 3.15 and came downstairs to express some milk. Did not get on the computer yesterday, so decided to catch up. Shula woke at 5.15. I fed and changed her, then we both went back to bed at 6.15. She slept until 9am.

You poor thing - he's being so unfair. I don't get why partners can't see how stressful it is looking after a baby. Why do they have to be difficult as well - it's like having two bloody babies in the house sometimes. Is there anywhere you can go for a break? A friends house or something?

I am away for a few days to my brother's house (with the perfect SIL!) I think it will be nice and as there will be lots of doting gran's etc around I will get a bit of a break too!

Hope everyone has a wonderful first Christmas with their LO's!

Stefka ? Am at your dh why doesn?t he try coping and see if he manages!!

Inzi ? With Ollie he cried if you held him and cried if you didn?t so we left him in the end. He?s still the same now as he?s had unsettled nights this week and actually told Grandma to go away and leave him alone
With Henry we leave him for 10-20 mins and then go in. You can tell by their cry if there?s a real problem. It is up to you to do what feels comfortable and right for you and Jane though?

Genmnac and Stefka ? get you dh?s to take the baby out for a walk in the pram so you can get some shut eye. I am not ashamed to say I take sleep wherever I can get it these days!!

Nellie- Ollie was and still is a tummy sleeper. I know it?s frowned upon (and my hv announced that fact to the whole mother & baby group when I asked her opinion) but when you?re faced with a tired baby who hates sleeping on their back what do you do? We chose to let him be comfortable on his tummy. Boy did we worry but we just made sure he didn?t over heat and none of us smoke anyway but it wasn?t until he started rolling over did we start to relax.

Les ? the bit about lo?s chewing their hands is interesting as Henry is starting to do that madly when he?s hungry. He was 13lb 9oz last Monday at 6 weeks!

Well, we got back from Pil?s early last night and I have to say it was a relief to be home. The plan was that I would stay for a few days and Ollie would in the front bedroom and I would be in the back bedroom with Henry until dh?s sister said she would stay also. She then had the front bedroom meaning I had Ollie and Henry in the same room. Henry woke Ollie and then Ollie moaned and woke Henry. I literally had no sleep for 2 days and rang Dh on thur eve and told him he had to come up earlier as I was on my knees. I asked Mil to give H a bottle at 10 on the Thurs eve ?dream feed- but she decided to wait until he woke up ?at 12.30am by which time he was STARVING and very cross. I then woke up and went to see why he was so upset and she was trying to put a dummy in his mouth ?I?ve told her we don?t use one as H just spits it out (but what do I know? I?m only his mother ) I took him from her and had him in bed with me. He woke at 1.30, 3.30 and 5. He was so unsettled. Oliver was fed utter crap for the three days. It was a question of ?you?re crying? Here, have a piece of chocolate.? Dh came up on fri and I went to bed as soon as he arrived. I really felt that I had no choice but to go along with her as she talked about how upset she is (remember I said her mother is dying?) which I totally feel for her but she?s back to knowing everything about my baby that she?s met twice. I was worried that H would get my cold Mil ? ?oh no, b/f babies don?t get colds? (my neighbours? b/f baby has a terrible cold!!) I commented on H?s hair falling out Mil ? ?all babies? hair falls out? WTF??? I even had my Sil telling my Mil to feed the dogs one morning to which I said that they get fed once a day in the evening. Sil ?but the tin says they need to be fed twice? Me ?the vet says Dexter is slightly over weight and she is happy with what we?re doing. Sil ?but the tin says?..?

Oh bejesus??even dh said we weren?t staying again

At home now, went to bed at 7.30pm last night as cold to

At home now, went to bed at 7.30pm last night as cold took over and my eyes were streaming, head pounding ?you know, the ?change lo?s nappy and you?re head feels like it?s going to explode? kind of head ache. Henry slept from 8.30, dream feed at 10pm, b/f 3.15am, 6.30am. Back to our old routine. See mummy does know something!

Wrote a long message and Mnet ate it! Oh well.

Muppet, glad the trip to the inlaws is over - bet you are too - sounds like a typical inlaw visit!

Inzi, pleased that Alice seems to have sorted Jane's problem - reflux seems really common! How is she sleeping?

Stefka and LES, your DHs need to do some serious babycare this week! LES, babybrain prevented me from following your story but hope things are better. Stefka, have fun at your brother's!

Alice, your family must all be here by now so I hope you're having fun.

Anyasmum, Ejt, Polar, Greedy, Winnie, Unicorn, Miss Bumpy, Strawberry Lace, Mrs Fish, EmdK, J20, whoever else I've missed, hope you're all okay!

We went out for lunch yesterday to some friends and then onto my parents where my brother and his wife are staying. Came home for supper. Today we're going back to my parents at some point but am not sure exactly when. And it's Christmas! I'm wrapping frantically - desperately behind.

Rebecca is fine, doing a lot of smiling and a lot of pooing!

Happy Christmas to all of you and your gorgeous babes.

Hey everyone!
Well ds slepthis best yet last night, went to bed at 1.20am and he stirred at 6am, tucked him back in (arm had escaped), then stirred at 8am (arm escaped again) tucked him back in, then he finally woke at 9am demanding a feed so thats 1.20am to 9am without us having to get up and feed him, amazing, wonder if it'll carry on?
LES - sorry to hear your dp is being a dick, hope he grows up soon!
Stefka - have a nice relaxing time with your inlaws
muppet - sorry you had a nightmare time with your inlaws, bet you're glad to be back, must be annoying to have other people think they know whats best for your lo. You're the best judge of what your lo needs! Anyway hope you have a lovely xmas.
Inzi - glad you sorted your feeding probs, one less thing to worry about.
Choc - hope you et your wrapping done!
Anyway if i don't get on again before christmas i hope everyone has a wonderful one with their goergeous little ones .... and a happy new year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stefka - Anya is 11 weeks now. She didn't like being on her tummy much at first either - I think it's because they can't look round so well. It helped putting a rolled-up towel underneath her chest level with her armpits. She was much happier and made more of an effort, and now she doesn't need the towel.

Ambynest looks good - is it bigger than a moses basket? Does it have a firm base? - have to keep Anya's back/head supported.

Muppet - you must have had the patience of a saint to put up with all that. Much as I would like to meet up again, I think you should avoid your mil for as long as you can get away with - you don't want to have that kind of influence in your life. At least your dh is supportive of you, not siding with his mother.

Went out last night to friends' house. While there, dh suddenly starts offering to feed dd, walk her round, change her, etc, then says to friends "see who does all the work?" Does it every time we go out - luckily all friends/family know he is joking, and I get a nice break!

Hi all ... haven't been on the past few days - Mairwen has had the most dreadful cold (see, who says bf babies don't get colds!!!), and life has been one long crying fit ...

Can't really remember what has been said by anybody ... am at those DPs / DHs are acting like jealous children and throwing their toys out of the cot ... am at MiLs who don't accept that it's somebody else's turn now ... and I'm raising a glass to all of us for being brilliant mums!

Probably won't get on here much over the next few days ... I have Rhydian and dh home for the next 2 weeks, so won't be able to sneak on to Mn quite so often!

Just want to say (can't remember who was asking about baby whisperer), that it's a book by a lady called Tracey Hogg - the bf advice in it is fairly rubbish, but her ideas of tailoring the routine to you and your baby makes sound common sense.

Oh, and on the crying thing, there's been loads of psychology studies done on the effect of prolonged crying on the emotional welfare of children - the basic outcome of all of them is this: children (babies) who are left to cry as children have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol (which is not a good thing) ... and later on in life, those children who are left to cry for long periods (not for the 5 minutes while you sort out your other child who has fallen off the swing / is terrorising the cat etc.!) tend to be less emotionally stable than those who are picked up and soothed immediately. That's one in the eye for those whose mums (mine! ) and MiLs do the immortal line: "You'll spoil that baby if you keep rushing and picking it up the moment it cries" ...

Right, off to work out the timings for the Christmas dinner - have a lovely Christmas everybody ...

Nadolig Llawen!

hello everyone!
Just wanted to say that i hope your Christmases are great, and that your LOs (of whatever age) and DP/H behave themselves, and that you get nice pressies and a chance to relax!
We are off to my stepsister in laws for a big family gathering tomorrow - have cooked my contributions to the feast today, so thankfully I have a bit of a day off - good luck to all those who are feeding the 5,000...
have a great time and see you back online sometime soon

Am I MAD I think I am... started potty training yesterday and gave up after two wet pants and trousers and two pooey ones, Got a stinking cold and felt really crap yesterday plus Ben kept crying and I needed to go out so I was just too stressed to keep going with it Started again today, I've not got to go out anywhere so thought I would give it a go. We have had two wees in the potty and one accident so far

Anyhow, hope everyone has a good few days, I'm off to make some mince pies (for santa) as soon as I have fed Ben

ejt - hope Mairwen is better soon

Anyasmum - I am going to try that towel trick as Ben hates it on his tummy and just screams atm

oh gawdddddddddd lol i still have shit loads to wrap for ds1. have spent far too much, the living room looks like a parcal storage factory there are that many.

Dp came back yesterday in a wonderful mood and we went out to friends last night.......seems once he had dropped his son off he calmed down...i don't know what his problem with son is but i am not pushing him to see him again. ANYWAY today we had to go and do a bit of shopping and dp has bought me a gorgeous ring....will add photos WHEN i am allowed to unwrap it lmao.

If I don't get on here tomorrow have a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS PEEPS XXXXXXXXXX

LOVE YA ALL

VAUN, GRANT, KARL N ZACHARY XXXXXXXXX

DEAREST WONDERFUL LADIES!

Sorry I haven't been around...decorations, buying /wrapping pressies etc. etc. but seem to have everything under control at the moment (ha!...just watch everything go pear shaped now!)Have just dumped Alex on DH and announced I want half an hour "me" time. Not time to catch up properly, just this page
Anyas mum...the Amby hammock has a thin soft mattress supporting the baby in the same way that carrying her in your arms (or the womb)would, it isnt a firm flat base but is a very natural supported way of sleeping that reduces colic and reflux and it is long enough to take a 2 yr old (though it needs a stronger spring after a certain weight...35lb I think).
LES...glad to hear dh is in a better mood though sorry he has issues with his son.
On a personal note Alex vomiting has reduced a great deal since expressing before a feed and making him stop every minute or two for winding (though it only takes a small lapse of concentration for accidents to happen) though our latest problem is his total refusal to take a bottle of ebm anymore..ho hum...it is a phase it will pass

Just wanted to pop in to say HAPPY CHRISTMAS to one and all. Hope all our los enjoy their first christmas's and we all find this first christmas en famillee the best ever
lots of love
Margo, Nick and Alex

hi guys, not got much time just want to say i hope you all have a lovely evening and day tommorrow, love to you all xxxx

Hi all,

Just wrapping the last of the pressies and making some more mince pies.

I won't be about much as we are having the family over for dinner tomorrow then we are out boxing day and the next day.

I hope you all have a lovey christmas with your families.

lots of love
Jan,Richard Lauren & Shula

Happy Christmas to you all- hope it is filled with many magical memories to treasure. take care everyone

My last message before we get sorting pressies ... I've been glued to the santa tracker all day - Rhydian has had to check it at least once every 5 minutes - it's been a fab way to get him to bed!

Merry Christmas - I hope everybody has a wonderful time with your families and that you enjoy your LOs ...

Nadolig Llawen

Eirian, Jonathan, Rhydian & Mairwen x

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

Been up since six with Ben, now waiting for Sam to wake up Had a good potty training day yesterday, 5 wees on potty, two accidents only

Anyway hope everyone has a fab day.

Lisa, James, Sam & Ben xxx

Merry Christmas ! ...

(and happy holidays to anybody not celebrating Christmas!)

Well, we have had a very civilised day - ds had been told that Sion Corn comes to us last, as he knows that ds stays in bed ... and that I have arranged with him that he turns the candle light on in the hall as he leaves ... the timer is set for 630am - ds didn't wake until 715!

We opened some presents first thing- ds is more thrilled than you could imagine with his train set, then went to church, and came home and opened some more ... ds has played with his train set all afternoon (well, that time we weren't sat at the table!)

Mairwen has slept beautifully today - she slept through me preparing the dinner, then sat in her chair and cooed while we ate ...

Now to get the DCs to bed (early!), and collapse in front of some crap tv, before turning into bed early ourselves!

Hope everybody else has had a fab day too!

Hi everybody, hope you all are having a lovely stress-free Christmas. We had a great morning yesterday - videoed Anya with her presents. Cuddly toys are definitely the way to her heart - she got a dog from some friends which she laughed at, and she tried to eat the bear-factory teddy we got her. She loves it when we stroke her face with his paws.

Went to my parents yesterday for tea and a huge mountain of presents for dd. I couldn't believe she was as good as gold all afternoon - she only started crying at about 8pm when she was tired.

Off to more family this afternoon (and yet more baby presents I'm sure!)

MrsFish - well done with the potty training - I think you're very brave to attempt that on Christmas eve!

Floria - thanks for info on ambynest. I think it might not be suitable just yet for Anya - better wait until after her scan. Can't wait until that's out of the way then we can treat her a bit more normally (fingers crossed).

Happy Christmas everyone, hope you all had a great day and that all the LO's enjoyed their first Christmas!

Zoe gave mummy and Daddy a lovely Christmas present, she slept from 11pm tp 6am on Christmas morning and then last night slept from about 9.45 to 5am (she slept through being put in her car seat, brought home and then transferred to her cot! ) What more could we ask for.

Hello lovely ladies!

We have been pretty busy with both sets of parents up here so not had a chance to get on before now...

HAPPY (belated!) CHRISTMAS ALL!!!!!

MrsFish think you're probably mad to be potty training over Christmas but good luck and sounds as though Sam might be beginning to pick it up!

LES - glad you got it dorted with dp in the end and glad he apologised with a suitably expensive present!

Inzi - delighted to be of service!!! Might be worth getting some gaviscon from your GP... Reflux is common Choc - the mechanism keeping food in the stomach rather than refluxing up your gullet is immature at birth - I think I read that at least 50% of babies have some degree of reflux which almost all corrects by a year and a good proportion a lot sooner.

Muppet - well done on not losing your rag at mil and taking it all with good humour! I would have given her a slap

Hello Polar, Winnie, ejt, Choc, J20, Stefka, Dal, Floria, Strawberrylaces, Anyasmum and everyone else!!!

Well we had a lovely Christmas. Sam was for the most part a very well behaved little boy and seeing his excitement at opening his stocking and then presents was truely magical - can't wait until Adam is old enough to appreciate it too!! He did get a little overwhelmed though so we have been taking it slow with the presents - think he still has 3 or 4 to open! All in good time though and at least he gets t appreciate them.

Dh is officially an absolute star though. For those who don't know my sister who lives in New Zealand is expecting her first baby in April. I had been agonising about the logistics of getting to see her - the main obstacle to her coming back before next chrsitmas is financial, for me its financial and also not being too keen to leave my boys for a week or longer. For my Christmas present he has given me a bit of paper that had written on it 'When thinking about what to get you for christmas I got to thinking 'what would Alice like most next year (apart from sleep?!) And I thought she would probably say 'to see my new kiwi nephew'. So this paper can be cashed for £750 at the bank of Rich (dh) to pay for a ticket between UK and NZ either for you to go there or for Sophie to come here' When I read that I bawled my eyes out - I would NEVER have expected such a thoughtful and generous present and it is wonderful to know I will be able to see them!

Anyway off to spend some time with my family now but just wanted to pop in and say Hi...

Lots of love,
Alice, Rich, Sam and Adam xxxx

Alice,

yes i got a laptop a watch and a sapphire and diamond ring.