August 2021 - They've been here for half a year

[BertieBotts]

Can you believe it! Our lovely little ones are (roughly) halfway to their first birthdays.

Welcome friends old and new for discussion of sleep, teeth, weaning, milestones, navigating post-baby relationships and the whole existential dread of parenthood... I mean those amazing moments when they make your heart melt. Or produce a poo that makes the wallpaper melt. Oh, all of them. Nothing is off limits because it's just good to know that somebody else has been there.

@Inmypjsagain they haven't - but I've not had a midwife appointment since 16 weeks and it wasn't so bad then! I have a 25 week appointment on Friday so I have it on my list to ask then - and thank you for the videos tip!

My midwife was happy with me going for a section at booking - I practically walked in and said there's no way I'm trying for a vaginal again 😂 the consultant referred me to the birth choices clinic but midwife said it wasn't compulsory so I cancelled it! And my understanding is now that at my 34 week scan/consultant appointment, already booked luckily, I'll get my section date - I'm quite lucky with my hospital I think, they've got a good rep for elective sections, there's even a separate elective and emergency theatre!

@Ready2020 tooth brushing is very up and down for us! Sometimes showing him a book that makes noise helps, or today I let him play with the calpol bottle which worked a treat! But sometime he just objects and nothing helps, I'm hoping as he gets older and his understanding improves it might get better!

@RandomCatGenerator pull up have been great for us, he understands to step into them now. I’m not sure I could do a normal nappy with him standing up! They are more expensive than usual ones.

@biscuitcat yes it’s worth asking, actually she also sent me a bump brace which really made a difference too if I was walking somewhere far. But I was conscious that it was summer and I didn’t want to my boil my bump, but that gave me some relief! That’s great about your hospital having an elective theatre! While I remember, for post surgery I really recommend c section support knickers, mine were by carefix, and silicone strips for the scar. Sounds really organised with you though, are you finding the experience different compared to 2021? I still find it odd I had scans without my husband!

Thanks for the tooth brushing help. At least I know I'm not alone. Nappy changes are getting more interesting too but pull ups do help.

I'm finding my patience is getting thin these days and it's only the start of the toddler pushing boundaries behaviour. I knew this would be a testing time for me as I'm pretty impatient and have a tendency to walk away from situations that frustrate me but of course I can't do that here. I'm trying my best and have better days than others. Today wasn't the best day. Just constant cat tail pulling, toy throwing, tantrums because she wasn't getting to eat stock cubes.... we get out and about every day she isn't at nursery as she sleeps so much better when we do but it can end up with a tired, hair pulling child by the end of the day.

It's just so tiring. Of course she's amazing and I love her, I just sometimes don't like her! Going to work is a welcome break!

Oh this week has been rubbish too as my cat had to be put down by the vet. She had a ruptured tumour in her stomach apparently. She was a beautiful cat and the quiet, gentle one, compared to the loud pain in the arse one we have left.

Photo attached of Rowan and my poor kitty.

Oh and Rowan is still pretty bald! Some hair is coming through in a light blonde colour. Hope it grows fast.

Oh @Ready2020 i am so sorry for your loss 💐

@Inmypjsagain ooh good tip on the pants! Last time it was an EMCS so I had to hurriedly buy some ginormous ones after (which I still love to be fair - so comfy! But the ugliest things in the whole world). I am finding it different, but I think mostly because I've changed hospital as I had such a bad experience last time, I was really lucky that DH could come to all my scans and appointments if he wanted to (we didn't bother with him joining midwife ones as that felt pointless) - the main thing will be that he's now allowed to stay overnight at the hospital afterwards, but because of Rowan he probably won't anyway. Hoping to be out much quicker this time too. I can't imagine having to have scans on my own, it was such a stupid policy even then.

@Ready2020 so sorry to hear about your lovely cat - she's absolutely gorgeous.

And I so know what you mean about patience wearing thin with toddler unreasonableness - I find myself muttering rude things under my breath when he's being a real pain. Agreed about work being a break! I told nursery about my current pregnancy before my 12 week scan to make sure I got the slot I wanted and could go back to work a bit sooner than last time!! I had about 13 months with my Rowan as we didn't have childcare beforehand and it was too long for me.

I mean, OTOH Leo would be at school now if we were in the UK so no more nursery fees for him, but I do agree it's good for 2 children!

We only brush teeth in the evening. The dentist said we should do morning and night (I just took him along to Leo's check up) but she also said both of their teeth look good and we only brush in the evening, so meh. DH does his teeth with them and they sort of try and copy him, occasionally I will "have a turn" and do a bit but they do their own. I'm sure this isn't ideal but it is better than nothing.

Currently he is obsessed with standing on the toilet turning the tap on and playing with it. Sometimes if I leave them unattended they team up and put the plug in and start filling up the sink!!

Happy 2nd birthday to all our August 2021 babies over the next few weeks! Can you believe they are/almost are two?!

Hope everyone is getting on ok, and hope the one's with newer babies are getting on ok 🥰

Awww I had totally forgotten about this thread. Hope everyone is doing well. We are! Ebony will be 2 on Sunday 😭 where has the time gone?

Can’t believe they are almost two! Genuinely don’t understand it 🤯 Feels like the last year has gone even quicker than the first one!

Beautuompjton@Jessicapebbles 🥰🥰🥰

@Sarah13xx I feel exactly the same!!

@Jessicapebbles that was supposed to say 'beautiful'!

It's mad they are turning 2!!! Leo is so tall and clever, where's my tiny little baby gone!!!

I've missed you all! How is everyone doing?

And most importantly, have we welcomed any new babies??? I'm not up to speed at all!

Nothing new on the baby front here, I'm thinking maybe next year I could give it a go, but it's a question mark. At the moment life is in a relative routine parenting-work-admin-my own life although striking a balance doesn't always work and it's incredibly difficult.

Hope everyone is keeping well, I'd love to read your updates!

Happy 2nd Birthday to all of our August 2021 thread little ones ❤️ xx

@PurplePansy05 no new baby here yet, I’m due next month but I’m sure there were people due July! ☺️

Hi everyone. Nice to see some updates. Things are ticking away here. Its hard to explain the feeling of Rowan turning 2! She's just a bundle of fun, pushing boundaries, singing, running and parroting everything we say. There are days where I feel just too old, fat and unfit to keep up (already!) but she is relentless so it's not just me lol. I miss the baby cuddles and we weaned in April after a sickness bug so I don't get those cuddles anymore. She's Miss Independent, and any cuddles are on her terms and usually mean she's tired. Swiftly followed by pretty aggressive kisses! I'm still her mama though and first to go to when she needs comfort.

No more babies here and not likely to be any more. I find it difficult to juggle one baby and life so 2 would send me over the edge.

She's still super baldy as well. Hair is slowly coming in though.

Lovely seeing updates! And where has the time gone, just crazy how quick this last year seems to have disappeared.

Rowan has turned into such a funny, cheeky chap, he makes us laugh so much and it's so lovely seeing his sense of humour develop. We've just been away on a family trip and he had a great time playing with his cousins and causing general chaos!

And we have our second now! I'm thoroughly outnumbered as another little boy, Fraser, joined us back in April - so he's just over 3 months now! His arrival was a bit of a shock - I had a section booked at 39 weeks (emergency section after a very, very long labour last time, didn't fancy trying it again!) but Fraser had other ideas and I went into labour a week ahead of that - and it was fast! There wasn't time for my mum to get to us so she was looking after Rowan in the hospital cafe - but not for too long, he was born about 2 hours after getting to hospital without time for my section or even an epidural 😨 I was shell shocked for a good couple of weeks after, as I'd planned a section for my second since practically the day Rowan arrived. But all is well now - he's a much easier baby than Rowan was which has made a huge difference and we're finding our rhythm as a little team. Good luck for next month @Sarah13xx - do you know what you're having this time?

@biscuitcat oh wow, congratulations on Fraser! Love that name 😊 That must have been scary after you had planned what was hopefully going to be a nice chilled experience! That’s good he’s a chilled baby.. do you think it’s because you have less time and he just needs to be or do you think he’d have been like that if he was your first? I have a planned section booked but just praying I make it to the date 😬 I didn’t ever experience labour last time so I don’t think I’d have a clue what was happening if it started. Having a little girl this time, very strange buying girls clothes etc.. don’t know what girls even wear 😂

It was definitely a bit of a shock, I was in denial about it I think, even when I was having to stop every ten paces while walking through the hospital 😂 I think it's unusual so hopefully you'll be fine! I actually had my phone call confirming the section with the consultant that morning and he said it's unlikely I'd go into labour ahead of time, would still get my section anyway if I did etc. little did he know!!

I think it's a combination - but definitely just a more chilled personality is part of it, plus I'm probably more relaxed (and more competent) than last time.

How exciting having a girl - one of each! I figure they're just in babygrows for the first few months so no need to worry. Lucky her having new clothes (and fun shopping for you!) - poor Fraser will probably be in university before he gets non hand-me-down clothing!

@PurplePansy05 I've missed you lot too! Wondering how you're doing - are you still solo parenting? Hope all is well however things have worked out.

No baby news here either, we've actually decided we're not going to have another. It was a hard decision but I think it's right for us. Neither of us can face another pregnancy again, it was just too stressful the whole way through. DH has a new(ish) job now which includes travel away for a few days every few weeks and I'm not sure I'd cope with two on my own! I'm also going back to uni to finish my qualification in September. I will almost definitely be the oldest person there but never mind!

So exciting to hear everyone else's baby news though! @biscuitcat congratulations on Fraser! Lovely news! @Sarah13xx I hope you're not too exhausted! One of each is lovely 🥰

@Daffodil21 Heyyy! So I had a stint at solo parenting and it was really hard. It was difficult to juggle with my job and no local family and tbh nobody was happy. DH and I reconciled. It's not perfect, but for the time being it is better than being solo. It's very true what they say that children and mortgage bind you more than any marriage certificate!

So pleased you're finishing your qualification, Daff. Well done. It doesn't matter who else is on the course, your qualification is your own.

@biscuitcat congratulations on your new arrival! Fraser sounds absolutely delightful 😍 It must have been such a shock for you he arrived so fast! It sounds like you're really finding your feet now which os wonderful.

@Ready2020 how beautiful is she! Gorgeous girl, so grown up!

@Sarah13xx that's such lovely news, I hope everything goes well for you this time too.

I can't quite imagine having a newborn alongside Leo now. Anyone else's toddler never stops? 🤣 I don't feel like I need my gym membership anymore right now. However, some yoga would do me good! xx

@Daffodil21 thank you! That’s good you have made a decision you are happy with though, I think it would be worse going along not knowing if you maybe would or wouldn’t at some point. I think this will be my last as I definitely don’t remember it being this bad last time, the kicks actually hurt now!

How exciting about uni too 😊

@PurplePansy05 thank you 😊 I am wondering the same about the newborn/toddler thing. There’s days when he will do literally anything to just do the opposite of what I’m saying so I’m not sure how I’m going to cope with managing that alongside a baby that needs me 24/7 🤯 People have done it before though eh 🤣

@Daffodil21 so exciting to go back to uni! You'll have a blast - and never worry about being the oldest, the time is going to pass either way so you might as well have the qualification!

@PurplePansy05 yes toddlers are non stop aren't they! Hilarious but full on - I'm always thrilled when I find an activity that keeps him occupied but allows me to stay in one place 😂 the current one is rolling the apples that fall from our tree down the slide

@Sarah13xx so agree about a second pregnancy, it took it out of me! We'd quite like a third but absolutely dreading possibly being pregnant again - a motivation to actually get fit beforehand maybe, as I think it would definitely have helped this time.

Awh missed this thread! Can’t believe some are 2 already, few weeks off my DD birthday! Toddlers are hilarious, no idea where they get their energy from but it’s an absolute blessing watching her grow each day and becoming more independent - though testing boundaries isn’t fun 😂

Im sat here feeding DS too who was born in June a few weeks early so it’s been pretty chaotic past month but finally feel over the last couple of weeks finding our rhythm again and into a routine, definitely helps being more confident and a very chilled out baby!

has anyone started to toilet train yet? That’s on the cards soon as she’s keen to be taking the nappy off once it’s dirty / wet so don’t want to miss the boat on it but equally was hoping for a few months to settle into family of 4. No more for us though, very happy with 4 and one of each.

@biscuitcat its so tough isn’t it, doing it three times really would be a lot 🙈 I’m not fully saying never as maybe in 3 years time they’ll be out of the baby stage and I’ll be tempted again but not sure my body could cope!

@Fran919 aw lovely, congratulations 😊 glad you’re getting into the swing of things with it now, looking forward to reaching that stage! I think we were very lucky first time round that he’s so easy in terms of sleep etc so just hoping #2 doesn’t ruin that for us 😅 We haven’t started any sort of toilet training yet but I’ve bought a toilet seat with the stairs attached and let him sit on it. He is showing a bit of an interest and says ‘pee pee’ now and laughs when his nappy is getting wet but I was just too scared to attempt it before the baby arrives. I’m going to go for 2 years 3 months I think as we should then be over the newborn bit! I watched a YouTube video about a woman with boys who has potty trained all three just before they turned 2 but I do still like the convenience of knowing he has a nappy on when we’re out places 😬