Phew, finally caught up (in between feeds, dinner, clearing up and kids to bed!).
Clairey, bet you are relieved that your MIL has gone! You did well to bite your tounge, I would have struggled I think (and the sponge in the sink would have grated on me too). I also often find I have to hold DD between her last 2 feeds as she doesn't like to settle in the evenings (although she is fast asleep in her chair now). I also have the same prob with BF as you, my boobs are quite high and although they are a fair size while I am feeding I still have to lift my top right up so I tuck a cloth into my bra to catch drips on the feeding side and cover the jelly belly on the other!
Whizz, I agree with you about dummy vs thumb! Was a job to get DS2 to take a dummy but I eventually managed it, he kept it until he was 3.5 although only at night - I don't think it does them harm but it is an easier habit to break than thumb-sucking. DD doesn't like dummies at all, we tried quite a few before we found one she would take! She prefers fingers or nipple, quite likes her own thumb too when she can find it! Have to confess that I knew what was coming on Emmerdale and couldn't watch it - too sad (and scary).
Macdoodle, your poor MIL , of course you should talk about it on here too, it is a place for talking about whatever you are feeling.
Clara, you are not unreasonable at all, it is hard work to be left with the children, especially for 4-5 days! My DH is not a great help and doesn't do nappies or getting up in the night but at least he can sort out the older children at bedtime a couple of nights so I can have a rest (or more likely get on with something that needs doing). Re: your 40th, you will just have to have a HUGE party before you go away!
Caz, glad that your DD has put some weight on! at you having lost your weight! I am not too far off (about 10lb to go but always keep a bit on while BF so not overly worried). Like you I am also a different shape, my hips are still wider than they were before, further apart rather than fat though (DH is not complaining as he is a bum man...). Have to wriggle clothes over hips but can get most of my own trousers/jeans done up now (although can't sit down in all of them!).
Kelbel, my DD has a fair bit of hair although not as much as Macdoodle's DD! It is starting to fall out a bit though. My DSs were born with very little hair and it all fell out, DS2 was a baldy until well after 6 months!
Ambi, DD also loves the television and I confess to sometimes placing her playmat where she can see it .
Loucee, yay for DS being discharged! What a relief for you. Like you I was also incredibly broody after DS2 was born, I knew within a few days that I didn't want him to be my last baby. I have no such feeling this time, I just want to enjoy DD - I have done my bit for the human race! Re: chiropractor I am guessing I will have to go private, the GP had a complete lack of interest in it! When I asked if a chiropractor could help he said "probably, plus your spine might be out after the pregnancy so you should treat yourself" .
Hi Jo! Welcome to the thread, I don't know your area at all so no help with toddler groups but your HV should have a list of local ones. That is how I started at my first one with DS1, I was similar to you and alone a lot and toddler group was a godsend!
Sushistar, hi to you too! Know what you mean about the tummy, mine still does not look like it belongs to me - I am trying to pretend it does not exsist! Thankfully my BF boobs are taking the attention away from it at the moment, hopefully the tum will sort itself out a bit more before I stop! My DD also has a very random bedtime, in fact her whole 'routine' is very random! I tend to stay up until her last feed and then she will fall asleep feeding (as will I), then go into her cot when I wake up still propped up and holding her.
Skid, I have managed to master the one handed BF, have even managed to get up and answer the door doing it, am getting some decent muscles in my arms! Although embarrasingly I found some grated cheese in DDs neck where I had been feeding her and eating, thankfully it hadn't been there long . I am the same with my weight and food. I lost loads of weight straight off but now it has levelled out and have lost none for weeks, am always hungry too and like many others it is sweet stuff I am craving! I figure I must need the calories and there is plenty of time for dieting once I am not BF anymore. I find that DH is quite good with DD although perhaps that is because the boys are older. When DS2 was born he did not bond with him or even really pay him any attention until he was 6 months old or so, all his focus was on DS1. Now they are both older he gives them both equal attention and is no closer to one than the other. I agree with what Clara said too.
Bouncing, I always blub when they have their jabs, DD has her first in just over a week and am dreading it already! Glad your DS was good for his, makes it easier. Not sure about whether the Nuby teats fit the Closer to Nature bottles but very interested to know. Have not tried DD on a bottle yet but as the only dummies she will take are the Nuby ones they will probably be the best teats to try too. The bottles I have are the Closer to Nature ones I think, they came with the steriliser.
Well sorry for the monster post! Hopefully I will be able to get on a bit more now kids back at school and keep up with you chatty lot!