December 2006 - Stairgates and cupboard locks at the ready!

[MARGOsBeenPlayingWithMyNooNoo]

Couldn't think of anything contraversial!

Eli - maybe she wont get it

Hi Jabber.

Castles - I didnt add them. Agree we should do a roll call on the facebook group. If anyone has slipped in but isnt on MN they can at least introduce themselves!

I have noticed (sadly) that Mag has disappeared from our FB group. come to think of it, I haven't seen her here either.

Hope you're doing well Mag x

Lol, tantrums are from ds!

I have been neglecting FB recently, I just used to send people a message asking for their MN name if they requested to join. Have not added anyone either.

Right, e-mails have been sent, off down to do more orgainising. 15 Rainbows "sleeping" over tomorrow night! Will be interesting to say the least!

Sleep well, Indith (this will make ds-only nights a breeze in comparison, no?!)

Castles, glad you got some good cake (assuming dd wasn't the only one to eat some!) and yes, lets, soon? Thursday mornings any good? Or Monday mornings? We're still on pox watch, but as EV says she may not get it...

Day 18 tomorrow, and nothing worse than a pinprick of eczema yet.

EV, I had a good hard stare at dd1 today and I think she's going through one of those growth phases, as well as being post-viral - you know, the ones where they feel bigger adn insecure all at the same time, and test like crazy to get safe again. I let her grate her own cheese onto her pasta at lunch time, which seemed to help

Hard work 4yos sounds familiar, DS1 is currently earning marbles for good behaviour so he can have a new Power Ranger. TBH, it's more useful for me because I'm less negative with him iyswim but he's less stroppy/belligerant/aggressive than he has been. Thank God. 'FFS' has featured in my vocabulary constantly frequently over the last week or so and not always under my breath .

Coco, it's so lovely to see you back and know that H is doing well. I thought of you a lot after you posted to say what had happened and it's great that things are looking up.

Spent 2 days with my dsis, helping with her bfing as she's had a nightmare. She's been using nipple shields since Day 3 and has major supply/weight gain issues as a result. BUT she's managed to feed without shields, for a full feed, for the first time ever today so I'm quite chuffed with myself. I didn't do much, just boosted her confidence and corrected some of the crap advice the HV told her but it feels good .

I really need ot get on FB and update. I just seem to lose steam after MN and emails.

That's great that your dsis is cracking it, oli. Bfing was really hard for me, too.

OK, minor rant alert - My nephew's wife had her baby in April and has turned into one of those "My baby is perfect, never cries, etc. etc." mother's. They live really far away so I have no idea what's true or not but she has this really superior attitude in her emails that irks me to death. I mean, be authentic or just don't bother!! I told my mother it's like telling someone who was a POW (me after ds1) about your cushy desk job during the war. I started having mild flash backs re: birth trauma PTSD and finally told my mohter I just couldn't hear any more of it. I feel kind of childish but then again I hate to go back into all that and goodness knows I don't have the time or money for therapy right now!

I guess everyone knows magnolia's situation as far as the pg? I hope she's doing OK.

Jabber - my advice would be to stay away/dont read mail from anyone who affects your mental wellbeing. Ir tell her how she is making you feel.

I thought of Mag the other day. I dont think we will see her for a while either but if you are lurking Magnolia

Eli - I am putting DD1s grumpiness to viral, tiredness and also growth spurt. She has been complaining her legs ache recently which I just dismiss as growing pains but maybe it has an effect on them We had meltdown after meltdown yesterday afternoon. She had swimming and preschool so was very tired but also obnoxious and incolnsolable at the same time. I've suggested she counts to 10 before she cries/shouts to see if that helps. She has always been so happy/cheerful it is quite upsetting. And it means DD2 isnt getting much attention

DD2 is really babbling at the moment. She can say a few words which are understandable. No mummy yet though, although I heard her repeating mummy the other day when she was looking for mummy pig so I know she can say it if she wants

fascinating hearing all these 4 yr old stories, certainly rings a bell with me! I thought having had major tantrums (they were an hour long at one point and I had to strap him in the buggy!) from 2-3.6 that we might be past that as he is the age of 'reasonableness' but they still keep appearing out of the woodwork.

Although it's ds2 who is v.stroppy at present, poor little lamb had temp of 104 at nursery yesterday so rushed to pick him up - they didn't have my mobile or work number (wtf?? I've given it, written it 50 times!) so it took 2 hours by the time they rang dp who rang me. I felt so bad as lost my rag with him weds, didn't realise he was ill and I was trying to get dinner on. FFS definitely not always under my breath either Olihan!

some days it's just rubbish, quite frankly isn't it? and hearing about perfect mothers and babies is sooooo irritating. And then there's often one little thing that I try and reflect on a the end of the day which sends me to sleep with a smile . Except I can't sleep, you know that speeded up heartbeat thing in pg, it must be way worse for twins because I feel like I'm on ecstasy or something everytime I lie down! (having never had it I hasten to add)

I thought of mag only the other night actually, so if you're around (hugs)

meant to say too, oli, haven't read your other thread (is it under bf?) but I used nipple shields with both ds's and it was such a struggle to get off them once I started. Wish I'd had a dsis to help me with that

Jabber, you just know she's lying. Obviously she has plenty of time while she's walking the floor with a crying baby, or staring futilely at it when it just won't sleep to dream up wild fantasies of perfection. Comfort yourself with the thought that you are out of those woods (although, admittedly, into a whole new set of challenges ) Now is the time to scare the living daylights out of her with stories of projectile vomit, solid-food poos, etc. That'll shut her up

My DD2 went through a phase earlier this week of biting the bully at nursery. I was mortified, but I think the nursery nurses were secretly on her side. She seems to have stopped now.

And I had my first night away from home! We had a team day thing (yawn), and then went out for a meal. I didn't get back to y hotel room until 11:15 - and I felt like a complete zombie. Where is the girl who used to party till dawn???

Of course, both DDs slept all night. They don't do that for me Away again overnight later this month, so we'll see if it was just a flash in the pan.

There's nothing worse than a smug DH Sorry Jabber!

My dcs always do that BP. Not that I go away much, but the odd times that I have, they've been great. Doesn't help my 'being a SAHM is soooo hard' campaign .

AQ, have all the mat clothes back from my dsis - will email you later for addy, dcs are tearing the place apart at the mo! I've been considering doing bfc training for a while but helping her made me decide I'll definitely do it in Sept when I've got a bit more time.

sorry but lol at BPs DD biting the bully. Not that I would condone it, of course..

Oh yes, definitely a discrete 'you go, girl' at BPs dd from me

And I hope you slept through too, BP, at least!

AQ, I had the racing heart thing to excess at times - can't imagine the twin version, you must be hallucinating: wishing you some rest during the day.

EV, really does sound very similar, dd1-wise. It turns out dd's BF has been a bit moody at school, so that hasn't been helping - but she's definitely going through some sort of growth/insecurity phase. I see the future 5 yr old some moments - real increase in reasoning, deeper thinking etc - and then she shoots back to babyhood. I'm increasing the cuddles and understanding noises as much as possible, but its hard when dd2 starts competing (she's learnt to copy the whine already )!

Oh Eli, I'm so glad it's not just us. It is hard isnt it when the 2nd child starts to crave the same attention. I often feel guilty as I feel like neither of them are getting the attention they clearly need at any given moment.

DD1 is desperate to sit on my knee lots at the moment (probably insecurity) and so DD2 wants to as well. DD2 has also worked out how to select a DVD she likes from the pile, bring it to me and then lead me to the tv . Cue arguments over what they are watching...

Well, can I just notify everyone that my DCs are perfect in every way and so am I. Where's the smug emoticon??

I've seen Magnolia on MN just not on this thread. Also WB. She's on FB but not here I think.

I have DS's sports day at 1pm. Yipee. Followed by swimming lessons for DS and DD1 whilst I chase DD2 round the pool edge. Probably.

Someone (who doesn't have kids) asked me what my typical day was yesterday and she was appalled

Re stroppy 4 year olds. As you may know, DD1 has a name that rhymes with "stroppy" and has in the past lived up to it so well. My way of dealing with her is to never raise my voice or get cross, just put a positive spin on things. Works a dream. Refer to 1st paragraph

Elibean, monday mornings probably best for me. We've all had the pox so no worries there. Busy this coming monday but will be in touch (email?) re ones after.

Awww, thanks guys I really let that situation get under my skin way too much. Am comforting myself with having conversations with my other nephew's wife who has a baby just like ds1 and can totally relate!

Can boys be stroppy? Ds1 is quite a handful in any event. He told us day camp was cancelled for today. Dh and I were horrified at the thought of him being home all day Dh has taken him now in hopes that he was fibbing.

Funny how kids can be so much better away from us. I'm sure I wasn't like that as a child

LOL at jabber - can boys be stroppy, mine both throw complete hissy fits most days! I know ds2 is ill but OMG he is such hard work today and I had about 2 hours sleep last night. He's smiled about twice and had tantrums about everything else arggggh.

I feel like I just can't be enough/do enough at the moment, neither of them get 'enough' attention and it's not just being pg & more tired, all the s*&ding meals & snacks, basic tidying up, getting them dressed, undressed, pooey pants/nappies changed seems to take up the vast majority of my time. DS1 seems to have been on the periphery all day whilst I dealt with ds2. Now ds2 having a nap finally, I have put night garden on as I can't stand up any longer & am going to nap on the sofa. I used to read ds1 about 10 or more books a day, now it's 1 if he's lucky.

Oli, bfc sounds wonderful, I've been so thankful to the ones who have helped me - don't worry bout tops, whenever/if you have time!

Aww, AQ, I bet being doubly pg doesn't help the tiredness though...! One book a day is about what dd1 gets these days too, from her un-pg mother

Castles, yes, email seems to be working jinx-less atm - and monday mornings usually good: one in 2 weeks' time might have my mother, but other than that!

EV, lol at dd2 and DVDs - mine too, but luckily there are several they both like, including Peppa Pig which I thoroughly approve of Spoke to other mum of post-CP child today, who said her dd was wiped out for at least 10 days - its a nasty little virus, that. dd seems to have been bored and understimulated during pox and half term - she went to play at friend's today and is in a MUCH better mood. Phew.

We LOVE Peppa Pig here. It is the ONLY programme that they will both watch.

I read DD1 two books a day atm and they are both at bedtime We just dont get time during the day.By the time we have journeyed to and from pre-school, made lunches, snacks, dinner seen a friend etc there isnt much time and they are tired so they get a bit of tv.

Peppa's a big hit in our house too. I can't watch it in quite the same way since I saw someone on another thread admitting that she fancied Daddy Pig . Something about the way he says "Oooh, Mummy Pig", apparently. It's changed my view of the programme now!

All 3 of my dcs adore books, but like the rest of you, I rarely get time outside of bedtime. DS1 is currently crying because he had 5 stories (one word: Daddy) at bedtime but wants another.

Jabber, my cousin sounds like yours. I always say she is her own spin doctor because her life is so perfect, her kids are so perfect, her parenting is so perfect - that's a yawn, btw - I just blank her out now. I know she's lying editing it for my benefit, so I don't care anymore. It used to bother me but now I just see her as a sad old cow. Bitchy, moi? Sounds like your other one is much better for you!

I'm finding I'm in a similar boat to most of you wrt chores/quality time with dcs/life in general. If the day were 6 hours longer I reckon I'd be as perfect as Castles .

What is this Peppa Pig of which you speak? I only have cbeebies, is it on there? I record things for ds1 on the hard disk, and then he gets to watch a bit during the day. But ds2 will not watch anything arggggh. I spent 3 years trying to keep ds1 away from tv and now want to get ds2 watching it!

It's reassuring to hear that I am not terrible mother now I have 2, sob. It really gets to me sometimes esp when I'm a bit tired or hormones all over t'place or like now, have a bad cold as well. Yes, exactly Oli, if I had an extra few hours I'd be perfect (as I occasionally do actually and then I'm organised and can spent quality time...). LOL at dh & 5 stories, we have a rule that if ds1 wants a story making up instead of reading to him he only gets that as it takes ages! Last night I did the Black & White Cat Camping Club (our cat is b&w). I think dp's version of Camelot was muuuuch better tbh (and so did ds, so thus requests for further stores ad infinitum until he actually went and slept in our bed as protest).

DP's cousin is like that, i.e. absolutely perfect and his mum used to go on and on about how she could count to 100 at 2 or something. Argggh. She's 7 or something now, I've only met her once (and what a precocious little brat she was) and has apparently turned into the devil child so we don't hear about her anymore. Much to my regret

AQ - Peppa is on channel 5 (milkshake) on weekday mornings. 08.10 I think . The episodes are only about 5 mins but the DVDs last about 1 hour and they are quite cheap now. Here for example

Had to grin at your immediate and accurate response there ev . I'll try them out on it. I stick to dvd's/recordings as ds1 gets so freaked out by anything new these days the questions and required reassurance goes on for 3 days afterwards!