January 08 shiny new - year babys , tired mums and dads!

[lilyloo]

Will that do

hey filly, welcome back
don't have mental capacity for total catch-up, quick summary:
some cr*p dp/dhs that need sorting out!
lots of bad sleepers (except ruby and tamara it seems )
work issues, both mums & dads
and yet more health issues (babies, grans... )

barristermum - chin up and keep going, you have to get your work/life balance right for you, cerys will be fine, CM sounds fab

madmouse - good luck with passports, yes best plan does sound like sending dh over on his own if you are sure you can cope. good luck to nathan on reduced meds too
re travel with buggy on tube - tricky...make sure you can lift the whole lot yourself for places without escalators/lifts, but generally i would advise a pause looking helpless at the top of any stairs an someone MIGHT offer to help
don't know the specific route tho.

amani -family help does make a big difference doesn't it, i have MIL just from sun-this afternoon, wish she was staying longer. then have my parents on sat and my mum is planning to stay on a bit. have ds1's birthday to sort out for sat first tho. (my baby will be 2 !)

lily - i would love to suggest the nearby, better family option, but with things the way they are, i think the safer/financially sounder/sadly less family focused option makes more sense
and so sorry for your poor dh and his business. just the wrong time debts can be paid off tho, and there's always the chance to try again...is he winding up his company? worth looking into tax/cost implications of that or leaving it ticking over? (don't ask me but my dh had his own company for a bit)

lucky - i really hope your dp sorts himself out. how can he be desperate for more DC when he doesn't help with A??? do you think he is one of those men that will 'kick into' fatherhood when LOs are older? i know some blokes like that, but still he has to help out at this stage....how is plan to go your mums?

gingeme, naetha, ange, housemum - hi

not heard from a few people in a while; mamachris, mrsmcjnr, mrsbiscuit, triplets&twins (not surprisingly i guess!), and others - hi if you're lurking...

i am sooooo tired, ds2 up 4 times for feeds, and won't settle now so have brought him downstairs so he doesn't wake ds1 - can't cope with 2 at 5am!
i don't know what to do for the best.
could be:
the heat - have tried, window open = too cold, fewer clothes = no diff
teething - is dribbling, fist in mouth, etc. may try calpol tonight
growth spurt - but how long can it last??? he's gone from 1 feed at about 4am, to up to 4 from 10pm-5ish
cold - he has a sniffle, again think i will resort to calpol tonight.

all i know is i can't function on this little sleep and look after ds1 during the day too have had MIL to help for these few days, but dh not back til late thurs, then it's ds1's birthday on fri and i want not to be a frazzled/grumpy/horrid mummy for that!

Poor DS has a big mosquito bite on his chin this morning. Not quite sure what to do about that, have been leaving landing window open so he doesnt get too hot, and put landing light on when i go in to feed him. 3x again last night . I think he is having a growth spurt if one is due at 16 weeks he always has then about a week ahead of schedule.

naetha, if having bad day with teeth I have given Calpol a couple of times, I don't like to give it too liberally but if it takes their pain away and knocks them out for the afternoon can't be . Also, Anbesol - because it is a liquid it can be rubbed on gums with finger or cotton bud, works like Calgel but is much more effective.

Hi to Filly and to everyone - my brain doesn't work well enough ATM to do personals, sorry.

MIA - there was also Ayrshirelolo who used to post post-nataly & had MrsMc's number and might have news of her?

Quick groggy waves to all.

Hugs to everyone who needs them, esp lilyloo (I'd go for safer option too), Amani, Lucky, barristermum. Whatever happened to toomanyshoes - haven't seen her online in ages.

Very zombified today - T back to 3 feeds in the night when she was sleeping through only a week ago...do you guys think its because of the heat? Don't think its growth spurt, as now 18 weeks, and this has been going on since her jabs last Wed. Soooo tired, feel like back to newborn days. Maybe shouldn't get on MN with her on my lap anymore, bet she's read about all the other non-sleepers and thought 'oooh, I can get mummy to feed me in the night as well??? must try it!'

Cranky with Dh, who sometimes says outrageous things just to wind me up, and doesn't mean them, BUT its still drives me MAD. He was talking about TTC no2, and I said I'm so not ready right now, and would like to time it so that dd1 can walk, talk (and is maybe even toilet trained) by the time baby2 comes along, because I'm not sure I could cope otherwise being on maternity leave with a newborn and an under-two, and he said something along the lines of 'you'll be fine, what else would you do at home all day anyway?'. I saw red. He really has NO clue. He hasn't actually ever been alone with T for any length of time because my MIL always comes to his rescue. AND yesterday he swept the floor of the lounge and said something about how he really does try and help me out and isn't he a lovely husband - aaaaaaaaargh. Why is sweeping the floor something worth praising and a personal favour to me, when we both walk on it??? He is a lovely husband usually, BUT not because he 'helps out'. Any 'help' with the housework (including washing up!!!) must be noted and praised otherwise he starts to feel unappreciated - and the other day he said something about 'when was the last time you cleaned the seals on your fridge? - I guess I'll just have to do them'. Why is it 'my' fridge?? Am p'd off.

He still talks about how he did all the cleaning and washing after T was born for one whole week. And I'm still telling him how well he did.

Can't even swan off for a day this wknd as have loads to do with sorting out new bathrooom.

Might look into getting someone in to do my ironing (small sofa is covered in folded clothes that need doing )

Also, opted for the mirena coil and have been spotting for more than 2 weeks. annoying.

Grumble grumble grumble, rant and rave. Must confess - haven't even brushed my hair in 3 days (v. curly and needs serious detangling conditioning, big comb and a good 20 mins, which I haven't been able to spare)

madmouse check the website www.tfl.gov.uk for route planning - you may find there's a bus route and so long as not peak times you can usually just wheel the buggy on the bus. If not, as justkeepswimming says, try to ensure you can lift buggy & baby - I had a v light McLaren so managed to do this with DD2 until she was 3! Used a backpack rather than having changing bag on buggy, You'd be surprised how often people do help, though.

Sorry to all who are having a rough time of it with illnesses and unhelpful DPs.

Hi all

Managed to make an appointment for Nathan's passport on Thursday (guaranteed one week service). They were very helpful. Thanks for tips on travelling, I have taken the phil and ted on the bus before here in Oxford, but I just remembered I have walked from Paddington to Victoria before, through the park. Think I will do that again!

frag, sorry your dh is not very helpful. could your darling need solids?

Good afternoon ladies. Hope the sun has bought some smiles this morning
Talking of which George has two teeth
DH found them this morning or should I say they found DHs thumb. He also enjoyed some more breakfast this morning and Edward finnished off what he didn't eat
Welcome back fillybuster. Oh poor ds. Chicken pox are the pits aren't they?
Our new mattress has just been delivered. Can't put it on our bed yet as George is asleep in his cot at the moment.
Well thats about it from our household for now.
Oh I second Anbesol liquid for teething. Very good stuff.

Thanks ladies we going for 'safe' non family friendly option!

It could well be the heat or time for solids or growth spurt or teething , who knows but having so little sleep is a real killer.

Hooray to George getting two teeth

Welcome back Filly, and at Tamara's sleeping!

Madmouse will dh wait until Nathan get's his passport then ?

Frag they really have no idea do they? What would they be like if they couldn't find 20 min in their day Maybe get in the bathroom lock the door and tell him your off duty while you pamper yourself for an hour?

Ange poor ds maybe some piriton or calamine to stop itching ?

JKS lot's of sympathy from here on the no sleep. Am sure you will get through ds birthday, have you got him anythng yet ?

Waves to everyone else

lily - been organised and bought all presents months ago - using my 20% off ELC birthday club voucher. we basically make a list, buy everything, then let family members choose what they want to have their name on!
so, a bubble machine, dolls buggy, wheelbarrow & garden tools & toaster for his kitchen
non elc - petrol pump & bilibo (weird toy but poss interesting).

frag - men! really sometimes they show themselves up don't they! hope you find some hair time soon.

madmouse - good luck with the passport. could be a long walk but if you've done it before...

gingeme - hooray for george's teeth how many weeks is he? ds1 first got some at 20 weeks but i can see so many of ds2's + fist chewing & dribbling that i can't believe it will be much longer.
am going to get some ambesol tomorrow, am trying teetha powders but he seems to hate being given them,

ange - yes lolo, wonder where she is??? hope bite is ok?

right, been out all day with MIL shopping - she can shop for britain! ended up only getting myself 1 top and i'm not sure about it, will wait for dh's opinion before i take off the labels
but got some nice shorts & t-shorts for the boys, can't resist kids clothes, just wait til i have a girl .

tv/bath/calpol/bed/out to orchestra where i will try to keep my eyes open...

Hi all

MIL has survived surgery and is doing ok. The lady who runs her affairs has been to see her and she was asking about us and where here false teeth had gone off too .

Lily, yes, we prefer to go to Holland as a family by car, and if it continues like this there is no major emergency. It is one of the few drawbacks of being an immigrant and we have learned to live with it, we have been in the UK for over 9 years now. If dh would go first I would probably end up taking Nathan by car on my own. I would cope, but don't relish the ringroad round Antwerp or the Dutch motorway network (and drivers ).

Got Nathan's passport pictures taken, the guy was very good and mega quick. Nathan looks very serious .

JKS, I know it is a long walk (about an hour if I remember right) but most of it is along the serpentine lake and one of the few things I like about London (apart from the friends living there) is walking to meetings etc. And I feel more confident and in control. Might take the bus back if it proves too tiring.

[impressed emoticon] so organised with presents.

Routine:
7.30 wake up and feed, unless we fed not so long ago, then play (at the moment:sitting on my chest while lying in bed and talking the hind legs of a donkey )
8.30 mum and baby get dressed and have breakfast.
9-9.30 nap, usually on top of me
10 playtime, hanging round while mum does chores or going out and about
12 feed and short nap
13 more playtime or out and about
3 feed, short sleep, more play
5.30 grotty, sometimes nap, brief feed
6-6.30 mum and dad eat, baby in bouncy chair
7-8.30 feed, bath, jammies, sleep (in any order, so sometimes a short sleep when too tired to feed)
11.30 feed
3 feed
6 sometimes feed, on a good night sleep until 7.30

Evening ladies. I have found a revolution in giving lo's medicine and want to know why I didn't find this four years ago. Its like a dummy with a teat and 5ml container. You put the medicine in the container, screw on the teat and put it in babys mouth and he takes it like a pro with no messy dribbles or chasing his head round while he desperatley tries to avoid the spoon etc etc. It was £2.00 from my local pharmacy. You have to get one.
I went to gp about my urine infection which I don't have . Did a wee in a pot (quite expert at that now, didn't spill a drop) and it was all ok she she decided to have a look 'down there'
Aparantly I have a fungul infection on my lips and so have a steroid cream to apply three times aday. Sorry if tmi.
Anyway I took George too about his crusty eyes and she said it was cradle cap . Now, two of my other boys have had this. One on his head hwere youd expect to find it and one around his eyebrows but apparantly it can be any where from the bottom eye lashes to the nape of the neck. So she just told me to smear a tiny bit of olive oil when it flares up. As for his BCG site thats fine and leave it alone. George was giving the gp some lovely big smiles . Hope it helped to take her mind off my nether regions.
Well Im off for a bath now. Our new mattress came today so I want to be all fresh for my first night.
Night all xxx

re passport pics have just got Amelie's done through these people - paspics - you take your own photos and upload them - they check them and e-mail you back if there's a problem with the pics - £4 posted to you in a couple of days. Pics look OK so am sending off application when DH's colleague (bank mgr) has signed the back.

teeth - anyone here ever bf a baby with teeth? Am concerned as have never bf this long before, also DDs 1 & 2 got teeth at 10 & 6 mths. DD3 seems to be teething already.

Gingeme - hope you enjoy your bath & as much of a good night's sleep as poss (guess any other activity off the menu at the mo?!)

Ginge, that would not work with Nathan's phenobarbital, it tastes and smells vile. We use syringes, and preferably when he is already in a tizzy, as he will need to swallow before he can yell again. Cruel parents grin]

Sorry about your thrush infection. Don't worry about tmi, after all it is easier to spout it here than over coffee with the neighbour

enjoy your new mattress. I love love love clean bedding, always sleep like a rose, so know how you feel. Have a long and peaceful night.

hi housemum, cross post!

we were going to use passpics, but we have now run out of time, and doing it in the shop was much easier than I thought.

morning ladies hope your all ok

yawn...otherwise ok

yaaaaawn

growth spurt

feeding at 11, 1, 4, 6, awake at 7.15 hungry again...

knackered

him too, has been sleeping most of the morning

alright for some

can I join you in that yawn!

Weirdest night since LO was newborn, woke at 10.30 and 12.30 and was then impossible to settle, he never cries at night normally. Presume teeth = calpol, & finally got him down at 2am and it knocked him out til 6am. Now he refuses to nap and we have our first baby massage class in an hour and you can bet it's all going to go horribly wrong .

Weighed him this morning and he is 17 lb 3. What a big boy! He is rapidly growing out of his 3 to 6 month clothes.

Hi,

Can I join in here?

DS was born (on his due date!) on 20 January...

yawning together
had rubbish night here too 7/8/10.30/12.30/4/6.30 and now she and dp are both fast asleep

Welcome chairmum

Hope baby massage goes well Ange i love it!

For those of you with older dc's how did you get your 3 yea old into surgery for injection ? I am suppose to be taking dd tom and i know she is going to have a fit. I can't even remember taking ds (i did)

hi all,

just typed nice long post then lost it. grrr!

madmouse, hope yr mil is recovering well, and you can get to see her soon. re walk across London: i once walked from Victoria to Waterloo with a buggy and a large rucksack - was soooo much easier than attempting the tube or bus (was with ds1, so pre buggy-friendly buses!) Hope it goes well.

Welcome ChairmumMiaow! of course you can join us!

Ange - he's huge!!! how old is he now? can't be that much older than Patrick...? (9th Jan)

we've had an unsettled few days. dd went to brownie camp on bank hol w/e, came home with filthy cold and has v generously passed it on to her baby brother. he's snotty, wheezy and miserable. took him to dr on mon, and she's diagnosed pneumonia-type infection, so he now has abs and an inhaler. just hope he doesn't develop full blown asthma like dh, me and ds1. they won't diagnose it this young anyway, so there's hope yet. poor wee man. has just had a little nap, but now wake again and grizzling. is teething too, anyone else getting ridiculous amounts of dirty nappies?

housemum - i bf both my older 2 til they were 2 1/2 with no major probs. i think i got bitten a couple of times, but swift removal from the breast and a v sharp OW!!!! did the trick. just don't stress about it!

and for those with unhelpful dhs. mine was fairly crap with dd and ds1 til they were about a year, then got a bit better. is much less scared of ds2 tho. hope things get better for you.

right off for yet another nappy change. 4th pooey one today , then must wash and get another load of nappies out to dry! it had better not rain!

Afternoon all,

DP is snoring on the sofa next to me and DD is snoring in her bouncy chair! It's like a bloody vibrating house! lol, meant to be going food shopping today as well.

Aaliyah has got a really snotty eye, it was closed shut this morning I had to spend a good 5 mins cleaning it so she could open it and she sat good as gold through it all, so pleased with her.

We have a picture of aaliyah standing on her own and then what happened about 10 seconds later, lol. I'm so proud of her though.

DP has had his arse severly kicked, I told him I wasn't having another child with him as he doesn't look after this one and until he can prove to me that he's going to help i'm not even considering it.
Since then he has done the washing, took aaliyah out for a 2 hour trip this morning so I could have a lie in, empty and refilled the dishwasher and hoovered the living room (that's probably why he's snoring) lol

Pictures here and hope everyone is ok.
WELCOME BACK FILLY
HI CHAIRMUMMIAOW

at the park
standing on her own
10 seconds later

lily... bribery works wonders imo! "we've got to go to see the nice lady then we'll get you something yummy/ go to the park/get that little toy you were after" etc etc doesn't have to be anything huge - a little fudge bar can work wonders! i'm not one for stuffing kids full of chocolate or sweets but there are times!!!

btw, i'm still waiting for mortgage apt with Halifax as had to cancel last week with dd off school. will be in touch with yr dh again once i've seen them tomorrow.

lucky - good for you lets hope the arse-kicking has permanent effects!

ps Aaliyah's gorgeous!

Lucky love the pics and so pleased dp doing his bit eventually! Hope it continues!

Dotsie poor dd and ds sounds like you have had nightmare, have let him know you will be in touch after you have spoken to bank!

Think it may have to be bribery, don't hink i will tell her until tom though