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

[lilyloo]

Will that do

We also trying to get DS to start napping in his cot. We've been very lax so far - he still naps on us a lot. Not working so well so far, has just had 2 tiny catnaps this morning and have now sent him off with DH to the woods while I do my housework, in full meltdown most likely! How long will it take I wonder...?

And from next weekend, when DH is off work to help, we're going to try and get him to self-settle at night as people have suggested above, if he isn't hungry. I have sussed that he isn't generally hungry till about 4.30 - 5am, before that if he wakes he is just using me as a dummy. That needs to stop if I'm going to start weaning him soon.

We also took abit of a risk recently Nicky . Have no sign of periods returning and getting coil on Monday so assume will be OK.....

hi all, a breakthrough!

turned off monitor, and didn't get up for ds2 at all!!!

ds1 woke at 5.30 tho

i know it's mad in a way that i still even use the monitor but i am paranoid about ds1 waking too and me having to deal with 2 crying boys in the middle of the night!

Hey everyone
housemum that is really beautiful , but i have heard it's tough!
Can't remember who asked but i bf and on cerazette so no periods as they had returned.
Hooray JKS whatever works, dd currently enjoying a sleep on the sofa with dp she has had over 2 hours now! She is going to be a nightmare when he starts his new job!
Well i am currently sorting out all our summer things as we off to Lanzarote for two weeks next Sunday. Glad as the weather has turned here and is raining. Luckily we booked and paid for this last year so a nice treat when we have no money!
Well dd is going to be in a show with dancing but needs a costume which is £12 and also needs a black leotard and tights , she will only be wearing it for an hour so if you have tom boy girls i suggest football it's much cheaper
I going out tonight for my best friends 30th and have bought her tickets to see 'flashdance' at the theatre in September, hope she likes it.

Hi everyone - no time for individ posts today, so quick wave to all. Tana's got a tooth just poking through her guns - explains all the crankiness recently. Thanks for the opinions about serving sizes - that cupped hands things was WAY to small and I was starving for a whole day before I decided it was clearly wrong, and abandoned it. Won't be on here much in the nxt few days, as having new bathroom put in. SO excited, as we're getting a steam unit thing with whirpool jets - shopped around for almost a year before I managed to get all the suite/tiles etc at good prices, so can't quite believe it will all be finished in a week. Have had to exist on showers since we moved here, and was dying for a long bath, esp just after T was born!!

Katie - hurrah!!

We've finally got back to 'normal' sleeping times in our house (both kids asleep until at least 7.30am, sometimes later, or playing quietly in bed if they wake beforehand)...now I just need to learn how to sleep again!! Anyone else waking with a jolt around 5/6am even though their babies are sleeping beautifully? Its very annoying! The worse thing is that I always need the toilet if I wake up at that time (sorry if tmi! ) and we've got incredibly creaky floorboards, so I have to lie there trying to figure out if its worth running the risk of waking one or both kids trying to make a dash for the loo...!!! By the time I get back to bed, heart thumping and adrenaline coursing through my veins, its almost impossible to get back to sleep....

Hope everyone is having lovely weekends xxx

Filly -

i am exactly the same in the morning!!
in fact i sleep terribly atm

but yes after about 4.30 i know ds1 is sensitive to noise so i try not to move.

let's hope ds2 has got the sleeping message from now on...

Yay we're finally almost sleeping through the night!

Ben went to bed at 7:30, I woke him up to feed him at 5am as I knew he was stirring, and I figured he had a better chance of sleeping later if I fed him then. He went back to sleep at 5:20, and then woke again at 7:30 - I feel human again!! I think tonight I'll try a dreamfeed at around 11 in the hope that will keep him going until 7 again.

Well it's a gorgeous day today - not sure how much we'll get out though as DH has just got a new game that he absolutely loves, but we'll get out for a walk at least

Weaning is still going really well - he's taking on all the new flavours really well - I'm looking forwards to trying finger foods soon.

I think we cracked something with the daytime naps yesterday, when we used controlled crying to get him to sleep. It took us 15 minutes to get him to sleep, as opposed to the usual hour plus. I hated doing it, but he was crying anyway, whether in my arms or in the cot, so I don't feel so bad about it.

Hope everyone else has a lovely day today, and their LOs behave!

Hey girls - grabbing quick mo while cerys has a morning snooze as I am not missing any of her awake time this weekend. Feel like I am storing up as many cuddles and kisses as i can to get me through the week.

Thank you all for your kind words and good wishes last week as i went back to work and also for my birthday - have to say it really helped in what seemed like one of the hardest weeks of my life. Cerys was fine - has started smiling for my friend and seems perfectly calm with her - and this weekend we have had prob loads more smiles and giggles as she has really appreciated having us around. I got calmer as the week went on but if I was kept later than i expected or anything i became tearful really easily.

Lovely birthday - were going to go out but just didn't want to leave her even tho she was asleep and so had a bottle of champagne at home and a takeaway!

Hope JKS had a lovely party too.
Filly - good to have you back babe, we were starting to wonder.
Sounds like there's lots of baby and dh training going on!
Madm - glad things a bit better - hope travelling goes well.
and LOVE all the cute baby pics

Hope everyone is having lovely weekends?

Tamara has something that looks suspiciously like a chickenpox spot on her tummy.... So far there's only one, but I suspect she's going to have a few showing up - its exactly 2.5 weeks since ds was infectious and that's the incubation period. I knew she was going to get it, even though dh kept telling me not to worry. Might explain why she was so out of sorts this week, as the bit just before (when they get all cold-y) is actually not very nice. Anyway, hopefully she wont have it too badly as she's still 100% breastfed and in theory has all my immunoglobins to protect her....

Ds has come down with something else today, probably just a mini-virus as he was sweetness and light all day yesterday and super-whinger-from-hell from when he got up this morning. Of course in classic bad-mum-fillybuster-standard-treatment-style I ignored the signs, took him out for the day and was reasonably strict with him until dh insisted we brought him home mid-afternoon. He had a temperature of 40c ...I felt so guilty! Anyway, he's probably fine, ate a decent dinner after refusing all lunch and has been calpoled and neurofened up for the night

OK, off to wash hair...Frag, I know where you're coming from, its quite an achievement managing to get it washed, let along dried or styled [wistful emoticon]

Love to all xxxx

hello everyone! Went to the babyshow yesterday at the NEC and it was fab!!
Housemum- I entered Ruby into the Prima baby modelling comp so fingers crossed I will post the link once it is online!
Ruby sleeps through and I usually have to wake her so it is completely normal, think some of us just have babies that love to snooze.. she is so active though!

Well I ma really struggling at the moment, Ruby is 100% bf and I love it but over the last week I have been having a ciggarette when she has gone to bed, I was a 20 a day smoker until I got pregnant, I am disgusted with myself and can not tell you why I am doing it, but I am starting to want one in the day now when Ruby snoozes. I hate myself and am constantly at war with myself, my dh has never smoked and doesn't understand my cravings.. had a shit day today as one of my dads close friends died after breaking his neck falling down the stairs, he was a heavy drinker like my dad and it broke my heart to think another oneof my dads friends has fell victime to alcohol. My dad died 2 years ago and I cried today when I wentfor a walk with my dh and Ruby because he never got the chance to cuddle Ruby, I am not trying to codone my smoking but I just feel a bit crappy, to top it all off my mother in law told me on Friday that all of the extended family on my dh side (aunts uncles etc) are angry at me and dh (mainly me) because we are only having immediate family at Ruby's christening.. there are 23 people attending and me and dh are paying for dinner etc afterwards anymore people would be too expensive but then my dh's aunty turned round and said I was wrong forcing religion on Ruby and that it should be left until she can decide for herslef, so in my opinon why would she want to come!!!! We have also my dh sister to me a godmother and my mil retorted that my sil was pleased as she never got to be a bridesmaid at our wedding1 It was 3 years ago so not recent really and my dh has a lot of younger cousins so I had 6 bridesmaid consisting of mainly them anyway!

I just feel really low I am going to go back to the smokng nurse tmrw, I did try and get help when I knew I was wavering, I asked my hv and she said she would put me in contact with someone and I have not heard from her since dispite several voice messages!

Anyway I ma sorry to maon on, its not like I answer posts so I doubt I derserve any sympathy, I would post about my mil on the aibu threads but they ususally chew you up and spit you out on there!

Bluebell, of course you deserve sympathy

I eat chocolate when my going is as tough as yours, and yes smoking is more harmful, but in real terms there is not much difference iyswim!I can only encourage you from a distance, you obviously do not need me to tell you why it is important to stay off the cigs. [hug]

Well done for taking action about it straight away. With regards to your hv, WTF, forgive the lingo but that is gross if a bf mum comes to you and says help I don't want to start smoking again you drop everything don't you!

Baptisms are funny things, for us they are expressions of our faith, but they are also important social rituals and people don't want to be left out, even if they do not believe in the whole thing. It is your choice to bring Ruby up in the faith. She can always decide to drop it when she is older if she decides it is not for her. We are delaying Nathan's baptism until after my dh's ordination. He is still wondering whether to baptise him himself .

Something I read in a Christian parenting guide: Don't be afraid to instill in your children from an early age everything you find important, because everybody else will try to impose their ideas so get there first!

I'm afraid I can't give you any advice on the smoking other than get outside help!!! Try ringing your GPs surgery and making an appointment through them for the quit-smoking nurse.

Alternatively call here: 0800 169 0 169 that's the number for the NHS quit smoking hotline, and there's the website here.

I was lucky that my mother stopped smoking before she had me, but the fact that DH's parents smoked when he was a child (and when his mother was pregnant) has certainly coloured his viewpoint on the matter, mainly due to all the problems he suffered as a child (ear infections, eye problems, breathing problems etc). I don't want to guilt trip you or anything, but do you not think Ruby deserves the chance at a healthy start?

Sorry if I sound like I'm preaching - I'm just trying to help you while you're still wavering! I think the NHS is the best place to go for help And you certainly do have my sympathy - I haven't been through what you have, but I can appreciate how hard it must be.

As for the Christening - as parents this is entirely up to you! If you intend to bring her up as a Christian, then it is entirely appropriate that you get her Christened. It is only hypocritical if you do not believe, and do not intend to bring her up in that faith. As for who you invite - again totally up to you - how dare anyone complain about not being invited when it's you paying for it all! Large families can be such a pain when there's so much inherent politics and feuds, and you can never keep everyone happy!

Chin-up Bluebell - remember you have a gorgeous baby daughter

Bluebell - big (((hugs))) atcha...I know how hard it is stopping smoking and that staying stopped is often even harder. I wonder whether (subconsciously) you are trying to assert some independence for yourself away from family responsibilities and feeling like you're trying to look after everyone else? (Its hard to explain what I mean, but a sort of subconscious "I have the right to do something selfish sometimes so I'm going to smoke as its a 'me' thing even though I know I shouldn't"). There's obviously something going on in your head for you to be undermining all the brilliant hard work you put in stopping smoking a year ago....can you try to figure out what the real issue is and deal with that? Pardon the pun, but I suspect this is a bit of a smokescreen for whatever that might be....

I'll get shouted down on here but to be honest as long as its just one or two a day then yes, you do need to try to stop, but it probably isn't the end of the world. You're doing all the right things, and you know you shouldn't be smoking, so maybe try to find a way to reward yourself each time you don't light up?

Anyway, good luck - from one 'stopped' smoker to another xxx

Dear filly i agree with you. I have never smoked properly but for a long time i have been a have a couple an evening person. ANd now i feel like it is a naughtt thing to do which has nothing to do with being a mum staying at home etc etc bit of rebellion - hooray.

Dont beat yourself up bluebell xxx

bluebell , it's not the end of the world.
ok you have had a couple don't beat yourself up about it, look at it like a diet, if you have a bar of chocolate you don't give up you just start again tommorrow.
Obviously you know the dangers of smoking but ultimately it's your choice and i know how hard it is. Dp started giving up when ds was born he is 6 now and his longest stint has been since last Oct to now and it was ds who told him he didn't want him to die that did it.
We all have our own vices i know i can have a few too many wines on occasions and i am bf but i don't beat myself up about it as long as you are aware then that's the first step.
Good luck with breaking the habit but i know you can't really have the 'odd' one with cigarettes as that is how dp has stayed off this time he had to cut them out altogether.

As for the christening, sod em. Ruby is your daughter and you will do what you think is right for her.

Well done to all you sleeping through it's just not happening here i was looking at dd2's baby book and she slept through from 6 weeks .

Hope everyone doing ok

Bluebell, just wanted you to send some sympathies and big hugs. I haven't smoked since soon after I found out I was pregnant, because I know myself, and it won't be just an 'occasional' cigarette. Every time you think of having one, remind yourself how well you did to stop while you were pregnant, rather than beating yourself up about it, and give yourself five minutes to wait - and then see if you still really, really want one five minutes after the initial craving. Really works for me

Have builders in doing bathroom today, so T hasn't slept well, and is quite upset by all the drilling noises

Frag it will be worth it

Bluebell - 2 things, sod em. Do what YOU want. We're not christening Aaliyah cos neither of us are christians (much to the annoyance of my nain)

As for smoking, DP is an occassional smoker and as long as he only has them away from Aaliyah and washes his hands before he deals with her, I have no problems. My rules would be only 1 a day and DON'T smoke in the house! But do try to stop if you can, Don't beat yourself up if you can't.

Frag, you have my sympathies re bathroom. Hoping yours is far more successful than ours has been. Ours has been going on for over 3 weeks now and we have had no less that 4 leaks through the ceiling into the kitchen below. It will look lovely when finished but it has driven me round the bend. When we get water pouring through the ceiling now and tripping the electrics off, I barely make a sound as its become such a common occurance. Latest leak was last night, and the paper on the wall in the kitchen has come off and my light over the dining table has frazzled out. What fun!

Thank you for all your support.. I called th edoctors this morning and I have an appointment with the smoking nurse a week on Friday !!! So not content with that I rang the HV finally got through and explained how dreadful I was feeling she is coming round tmrw with the postnatal smoking lady and I called the NHS stop smoking line... Phew! The good news is I have dusted off my step machine and everytime I get acraving I will do 5 mins on that, may result in me doing 4 hours of exercise over the next week but it is worth it and so is my beautiful daughter!

As for the christening , they can suck eggs! I am by no means forcing religion on Ruby, although MIL was not impressed when I whipped out the 'God knows me' book yesterday but it is fun learning and she likes the pictures (I had it when I was a little girl)- I was christened and then I chose to be confirmed when I was 14, I lost my faith until I was 21 and I don't pretend tobe completely dedicated but I have an appreciation of my religion and try and live by the morals, try being the optimum word! But anyway enough about that I just want to say thank you again for all your kind words! xxx

Evening ladies.
Good luck with giving up smoking bluebell. Never smoked myself but remember DH giving up a couple of years ago and how hard he found it.
Sorry I havnt been a bout the last couple of days but Ive been consoming DH. His eldest son is getting married at the end of August this year and we have been told no children alowed except bridesmaids that means no children including our ds's. DH none too happy and has told his son he won't be going. Feel so bad for him. Peed off to as I have got my dress for it and ds's suits .This also means my sil won't be going as she has 4 children and my mil won't go out of principle. Its a sad state of affairs.
Anyway tried George on some savoury today for his lunch. It was cheese and spinach bake. He realy didn't like it and made lots of yuk faces. It was so funny. Had him weighed today too. He weighs 16lb15oz. I had a look at the other boys red books and they weighed roughly the same at 18 weeks.
Right its 23rd on Friday is anyone wanting to do this meet up? V&A museum for 12ish

Hey all,

Feeling sad today as have realised i'm going to HAVE to go back to work, We can't run on the money that's coming in. I was so happy this morning till I did a thread asking for benefit help and turns out i'm only likely to get £65pw and considering we spend nearly that amount on food per week, we can't survive!

I'm terrified of leaving her, I want to raise my baby, I don't want her getting influenced by anyone but me!!

I hope I don't upset those who are going back to work saying that but that's how I feel.

I'm looking into work from home stuff but there's not much out there. sigh.

Hope everyone is ok.

gingeme - that's so sad
i understand wanting to keep numbers down but if there are going to be kids (bridesmaids) there anyway why not just make it a family affair?
i'm of the opinion that things like weddings are for families anyway (even before i had dcs)...maybe if so many of you say you won't go there might be a change of plan..?

lucky - i do know what you mean but really don't worry too much. ds1 loves going to nursery and working from home + looking after kids, not sure it goes!!

bluebell - not been a smoker but sure it has been v tought to last so long, like others have said, try again but don't beat yourself up too much over one or two.

um, hi to everyone else, as usual brain is mush!

henry slept through last night, hooray 7-630
ds1 was up at 5.50
ah well.

got my mum here this week to help out, and hoping to get some more good nights sleep in.

then off to in-laws for a few days, leaving ds1 there for 2 nights to have a toddler-holiday

right, chocolate then bed

Gave charlie dream feed at11 and she slept through til 9am!! but she has gone back to crying at 4am for no reason and then going back to sleep, it seems to be to do with her gums i think as frantically stuffing hand in mouth - means i get woken up though for no reason very annoying.

Dh birthday this weekend he says he doesnt want to do anything and i simply cant think of what to buy him. I have converted his 16 favourite photos of charlie into a mousemat as a pressie form her - just cant think of anything for me.

My mum comng up tomorrow and staying over so me and dh can go to our ballroom dancing class - such fun.

Charlie has final set of jabs next week not looking forward to it as last time she was so ratty.

Me counting days down for period after mishap the other night

Nicky - Re: jabs, If you can get the doc to give them straight after each other "out of the way if you like" DD hated the first few but the last ones we had a good doc who just got on with it and DD only cried for about 1 minute then forgot. Last time we had her crying for about 10 mins. Was horrible.