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

[lilyloo]

Will that do

Housemum I have to ask you on a totaly non baby subject and I know there are threads I could go on to ask this but how did you get your ds's into modeling?
Had a brill night last night George slept from 7.30 till 4.30 though he did wake at 3 as usual and was doing some massive farts but then seemed to go back to sleep.
Anyone ff have you moved your lo's up to a three hole teet yet?
I never did this with ds4 because he used to just cough and splutter so he kept to two hole teets till he went on to a cup iyswim. Just though it might help with ds5's wind.

Poor you Frag , guess it doesn't matter when you catch up on your sleep as long as he keeps to his promise of a lie in.

Happy birthday for yeasterday Naetha did you do anything nice ?

Wow Gingeme he is piling it on isn't he , i hold no weight with the 'weight' thing ds was 3 before he slept through!

Beller what a good boy that must have been bliss for you.

mixedm good luck with job hunt. Would you not be able to pay your cousin cash in hand then it may work out better salary ?

barrister i know how you feel about returning to work. I have gone back after each of mine ds was 4 mths but my sis looked after him, dd was 6 months and she went in a nursery. They were fab with her and she loved the ladies who worked in there. She still goes and will move into the pre school bit this year and it's so cute because lot's of her friends have been there since babies too so they are all really happy when they are there as it's so familiar and that is so much easier when you have to work.
Hopefully with dd2 i am going to take a year off fingers crossed.
As for tummy time i wouldn't bother if she isn't happy it's only to strengthen neck muscles which you can do holding them over your knee, your shoulder etc.

Bluebell that sounds lovely what a great idea to do it with all my dc's for fathers day! Thanks

Hi housemum hope things ok

Well all ok here but i have got ds at home with 'slapped cheek' if anyone knows what that is ? School and docs said to keep him off couple of days but he is absolutely fine and enjoying winding up dd1, not what i need just before i have them all at home for 2 weeks after he breaks up on Fri!

Hello all, thanks for the birthday wishes

Didn't do anything in particular - had fish and chips and DH put DS to bed for me ;)

Like you Fragolina, my DH just doesn't do nights. He never hears Ben cry, and if he does get up gets so frustrated with him they both get wound up and Ben becomes wide awake and takes ages to settle again. Easier all round if I do it and DH takes him on a morning at the weekend

Jumperoo definitely a hit - wasn't sure if he'd be old enough for it - it says from when they can hold their heads up themselves, but they still need a fair amount of upper body strength. Ben can just about handle it, but he is very strong (could hold his head up from birth), so I wouldn't recommend it until they can hold themselves up with your hands on their waists for more than a minute or two at a time.

As for tummy time, Ben absolutely loves it, but again has very strong neck muscles so he doesn't end up "face-planting" himself too much. Often he prefers to lay on his front (and I'm sure would prefer to sleep like that) but I've never left him alone while on his tummy. I will once he can roll over though.

Right, off to B&Q and homebase to have a look at bathroom suites in the sale - speak to you all again soon

Don't have much time online today - but I have a quick question. DD2 loves being propped up against a few cushions and having a look around the room. Is this ok to do? An elderly aunt came over the weekend and I got a telling off for doing it as she said it is bad for her back(??). Is there any truth to this? Made me feel like an inadequate mother....

Hi all

Took Nathan to the orthopedic hospital this morning to have his hips checked as the GP at the six week check could not bend them both out equally. Turns out he is absolutely fine, just slightly less flexi on one side, just like his mum. When I still danced I could only do split one way.
He was checked over by the physio who says he is moving completely normally in all respects, no evidence of any cerebral palsy or anything, another great point.

We did talk about tummy time, and the physio says it is good for 'lots of things' barristermum. She told me to make sure Nathan has both his legs splayed out like a frog to help flexibility in his hips. Nathan does not really like it, but it helps if I lay flat ont he floor with him so he can see my face. I even got a smile the other day, and he can push his shoulders off the mat too. I find tummy time on my chest not quite the same. Ont he floor is harder work. But a few minutes at a time is fine.

nathan had no colic last night and did not cry. Did not know what to do with myself . Still did not sleep properly until 11pm though but had a good night as usual feeding at 3 and 6.

sounds fine to me amani. not much different from car seat is it!

Evening ladies.....

How is everyone.

Lilyloo - The problem with cash in hand is that I want to claim tax credits (if I am entitled) and if the job that I get has childcare vouchers then would like to use them to so need her to be registered. Afternoon recetionist roles seem appealing tho as then I can still use mum and dad more then Ils.

Tamara seems to positively love being on her front, which is quite a shock as DS absolutely hated it. She's so happy, I tend to just leave her to get on with it - every so often we forget about her and find her fast asleep on her tummy on the playmat - she has started rolling over now but on the whole just lets us know when she's had enough and wants to be on her back again.

Only reason I'd encourage it is that DS was never happy on his front and therefore didn't ever really get into 'crawl' position...he started sitting nicely fairly early (about 4.5 months), but then got really frustrated from about 6/7 months that we could walk off and leave him but he didn't want to know about being on his front. Had a nightmare few months with him until he finally started moving at around 12 months....

Amani - can't think of any reason why now

Madmouse - glad Nathan is doing so well

Mixedmama- welcome back to the online world!

Thank again for everyone's support and good wishes (& to lolo and barristermum for the texts)...the past week has been pretty rough and its going to take us a long time to get back onto an even keel again. DH is only 31 and is finding it really hard to get his head around losing his father (understandably). So far, I've not had time/space to cry/mourn but I suspect I've got a majot crying jag coming quite soon - hoping to hold off until everyone else is a bit more stable but am a bit nervous that something silly will set it off one day...

Hugs to all xxx

It is 20.15 and Nathan has just fed himself to sleep. So peaceful, it's weird. He had a bit of a cry time round 6pm and had to stop feeding because it hurt, but that was all so far. Have not had the heart to put him in his jimjams yet as that will wake him up and he does not need a clean nappy.

sounds good madmouse, and love that he is 'passing' all his tests

mixedmama - good news re laptop, dunno how you cope with your BIL, grr he would really drive me crazy. really hope your dh has a word...

amani - i think it's fine, have done it with both ds. obv not for very long, but they generally let you know when they've had enough.

fluffy - it must be such a shock for your dh, think we all find it hard to accept our parents ageing, and it takes away some kind of 'anchor' when they go. (nearly lost my mum about 5 years ago and it shakes your childish confidence that they'll always be around).
and yes watch out for that little thing that'll set you off, something silly probably and you'll feel foolish but best to get the tears out i think.

lilyloo - bad luck for ds, friends kids had it when i was pg and i got in a panic about it but all was fine. sound slike you are starting the hols early then!

bluebell - take a pic and put it on your profile to show off your creativity sounds lovely. we did ink prints of both ds the other day, did ds1's at this point last time, so added some current ones of his and baby ones of ds2. ink everywhere but good results.
got to get round to doing his plaster casts soon. going to try tomorrow with ds1 at nursery.

ds1 moved up to the toddler room at nursery today - big smiles this morning when he realised
had both boys in the bath earlier and ds2 was really kicking and splashing, so cute. not sure ds1 likes sharing his bath yet, def seems to enjoy it more when i take ds2 out and he gets some private bath time!
i am using my new present from dh - a macbook air (have you seen the advert with the laptop in an envelope? it's that one!)
so much better than my last machine but i've never had a mac before so have lots to learn, anyone a mac expert?

sure i've missed things but need to find some pudding, am starving!
hope everyone doing ok.

Phew, exhausting day trip to York today. Decided to get train as cheaper than the horendous cost of petrol at the moment, so I had to drive into Newcastle in the rush hour, park by DH's school, get the metro (again in the rush hour) to the station and get the train - was I mad?

On way home DS decided he was starving when we were pulling back into station and howled all the way back, then cluster fed for 2 hours and has now crashed and burned! It was character-building for both of us!

Good ideas for tummy time.

no time to post as taken all time to catch up and feel like i have a bit of a cold sre throat.

went to music and nursery rhyme thing today she seemed to like it

xx

katy so jealous of the laptop

Katy - wow, I've seen the ads - said to DH the other day, "I don't know how Apple do it, I don't need one but I WANT one"!!! It looks so cool - I know nothing about Macs either.

Gingeme - re earlier question, I just sent DD2's pic to a couple of reputable agencies, one turned her down, the other asked us for an interview where they basically told us what was involved, and that they couldn't guarantee work but they'd take her on, and showed examples of their kids' work/what clients they had. Feel free to CAT me for more info. It can be a hassle, I'd warn you that - you get a call at midday asking if you are free the next day so you need to be pretty flexible!

Fluffy - you are allowed to grieve as well, I know it's hard because you want to be strong for eveyone else but take time to yourself to have a good howl.

Bluebell - the canvas idea sounds great! We went for the lazier (pricier!) option of going to a local pottery cafe where they do the footprints on mugs/coasters/etc. Have got some coasters to pick up for the godparents as we thought it would be a nice little gift to them.

Night night

thanks for all the tips - cerys holds head up really well but seems to give up on her tummy so we will try some of your great suggestions and keep the sessions short!

Taking her into work today - feels such a mammoth undertaking!

Hi everyone, I have atached my facebook page pic in the link below.. the pic is number 40 I think, it's at the end anyway, love the canvas keep looking at it when I go upstairs, she is such a clever baby!

Madmouse, enjoy the peace, I had some lovely sleepy nights until Ruby had her injections and that bam, it is like they injected her with pure evil! Shesmiled at everyone yesterday but kept frowning at me, I assume it was because I was holding her at the time, made me feel really crap!

Hope everyone is OK, going to start tummy timing it with Ruby once she is in a better mood!
Bec x
www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=87370&l=c471d&id=786050477

Naetha hope you got the bathroom suite

Amani i do it all the time with dd and have done so with others no probs with their backs either , how is that different to a swing or car seat as they are sat up in them ?

Great news Madmouse so glad all your concerns for Nathan seem to be unfounded i can't believe how amazingly well he has done.

Mixedm might be worth checking it out both ways you can go online and see what tax credits you would get and take that off what you would pay her then work it out without them and paying her bit less as she would save on tax? Hope you find something.

Fluffy ((((hugs)))) it is so hard to support someone through grief especially am sure with the added exhaustion a new baby brings. I know my dp was a gem when my mum died and he didn't do anything special but i knew he was there for me when i needed him and he talked about her which also helped , and was very often a shoulder to cry on. Keep your chin up and we all here if you wnat a virtual shoulder to cry on.

Katy wow am very would love one of those if only! We still have lo in her own bath but she touching both ends now so will need to get her a seat just don't envy her hsaring with ds and dd

Ange at the character building! Give me car any day.

Nicky hope you feeling better today

Housemum hope you doing ok

Barristermum good luck on taking her into work is this the second time ? If so well done i won't be doing it again!

Well ds much better here so he back to school tom thank goodness need some time to organise things for his birthday on Fri. Martha slept great last night so as you all know fuzzy head not too bad today!

x post Bluebell hope Ruby feeling better soon after her injections it's a nightmare isn't it !

I'm back online!! woohoo

I'm really sorry I haven't read anything, I haven't got time to. If anything HUGE has happened (anyone pregnant again yet) let me know.

Me & DP have decided that i'm going to do at least 3 months worth of the pill (2 months left) and then we'll rethink about no.2 (that he wants NOW)

Aaliyah is 11weeks today and such a happy girl normally.

We're bottle feeding during the day now but she's still getting fed boobs at night which suits us fine as she's too greedy just for boobs.

Shes sleeping through the night mostly now, although we've had 2 bad nights the last 2 nights. Yesterday she was up at 2:25am and this morning she was up at 4am!! Am knackered.

Hope everyone is ok. XXX

Thankyou housemum. How do I CAT you?
I put lo in with my other 2 ds's lillyloo. I wash them and di their hair then I pop George in for a few minutes in between the boys. He loves it and ds4 keeps trying to cuddle him and wash his face with the sponge
hope lo feeling better after her jabs bluebell. The nurse that does the jabs at my gp's always says she feels guilty making the babys cry but hey its better than having the diseases they protect against.
Had an odd night last night. Settled George about 8 as usual. He then woke at 12.30 which he never does. Tried setteling him with his dummy but he just wouldnt have it. Had a bottle and bum change and settled again till 5 where again he had a bottle and settled till about 7 ish. Hope he doesn't carry this on
Nothing planned today. Done the housework and have blown up the mattress to air off ready for my big boys tommorrow
Anothr ff question for you. When you give baby a bottle at night do they drink the whole lot? I make 6oz bottles for George and 9 times out of 10 hell only drink 4 oz.

Gingeme do you use a seat or anything or do your boys hold him ? Wondered if ds could he 6 ?
Wecome back Lucky can't believe you thinking of another already , feel quite that i won't be doing it again but know that 3 is def enough for us.

lucky - next one already, wow, that is commendable. i will watch this space.

wow lucky, no 2! but no point in hanging about i guess...! see you on the 2 under 2 thread soon then

yes i LOVE my new laptop! dunno why dh felt the need to get it for me but def not complaining! think he got fed up with me moaning about my antique one crashing all the time!!
main improvements (sorry all mac lovers/techies out there!):
turns on and off quickly
fast internet that doesn't crash
&
a battery that actually lets me unplug the machine! woohoo!!
(can't figure how how to get a double-click working tho )

ok enough computer talk!

ange - sounds like a manic time, hope you have both recovered!

nicky - hope you are ok today?

housemum - one thing is it doesn't have a cd-drive, but you can get an external one or remotely use another pc...

barriestermum - hope today has gone well?

bluebell - love the canvas got me thinking of doing something with both boys for dhs birthday - not til aug so got some time.

gingeme - how long have you got your big boys for? and are dh's coming too at any point? would be good to get all 7 together!

mamachris - got your power back yet???

right, got to get on with trying ds2's casting....

blimey 7 boys... gingeme you are truly an inspiration that it can be done... phenominal - cant spell sorry.

Hi everyone.

Bluebell thats sounds great idea for the bursery!

Barristermum, I bought a "tummy time surf board" from blooming marvelous. It has a little water thing in front and some rattle toys and also a pillow that goes under the arms to prop them up a bit. George didnt really liek tummy time , but will now spend about 10 mins on it! Might be worth a go?

Gingeme - George goes to sleep from about 8-2 then 3-7/8..he drinks about 7 oz of milk when he wakes in th enight. I spoke to my doctor today, and she said he is quite capable of going thru the night and to just try settling him when he wakes in th enight with no food . I would have thought that would have me up more, as he is clearly hungry?

Anyone taken their babys swimming yet? Im going on friday with George, and just wondered if anyone had any tips? I have read a few websites about their didving reflex etc, so will just see how it goes!