December 2006 - Stairgates and cupboard locks at the ready!

[MARGOsBeenPlayingWithMyNooNoo]

Couldn't think of anything contraversial!

Ack - 2 weeks away from you lot and I'm soooooo far behind! Give me a day to catch up, though, and I'll be right back with you

welcome back BP.

Hope DS is better soon Olihan

Well, I have moved tea-time from 5pm to 6pm and seem to be getting an extra hour out of DD2s sleep in the morning so now she is getting up at 6.30 instead of 5.30 which is better.

She really doesnt drink much milk at all. I offer it 3 times a day and she has about 1 cm of fluid each time . She has 1 yoghurt and 1 portion of cheese a day too but only because I realised lately she was getting practically no dairy. She has cut all 4 canines in the last 3 weeks though!

I weighed and emasured her yesterday. She is just under 11kg / 24 lb and is about 77 cm. That puts her just under 50th centile for weight but between 2nd and 9th for height. She is about 1lb heavier than DD1 at this age, but shorter so I think she will be like me - short and a bit chubby

Hi BP - hope you had a good holiday.

EV - I have been inspired by you to weigh and measure DD - she is 26lbs and about 86cm. She is on the tall side then - although DH is tall and I'm about average so thought she might be. Can't believe she weights close to 2 stone! No wonder my arms are stronger than they used to be.

We are just 2 canines short of a full set of teeth now. Can't wait for these last two to make it through.

weighs even

Have finally caught up, but unlike the incredibly organised members of our group, I failed to take notes of who has been up to what. As ever, am sending positive vibes to those who require them, and remaining in awe of all of you 'together' mums who manage to juggle it all.

The holiday was fab - despite the foul weather blowing off the Atlantic. We were in a campsite near Benodet in Brittany. The DDs were like pigs in sh*t. Fantastic pool, great walks, lovely beaches. DH and I both came down with nasty colds, though, so we're completely exhausted now and in need of a rest!

DD2 developed a really nasty side to her whilst we were away. She started throwing the most violent tantrums, hitting and pinching me, trying to bite my nose and throwing my specs on the floor. I don't know where it came from - and I don't know how to stop it. She doesn't respond yet to 'No' in any meaningful way, and she is too young for DD1's naughty corner. She is perfectly charming when she is doing what she wants, but if she has to do something she doesn't fancy she goes berserk

Since we got home, though, we haven't had a single tantrum, so perhaps it's just that she was so out of routine

DD2 weighs nearly 30lbs now - I must measure her tomorrow. She's a bit of a porker ...

BP - I have started using the naughty step with DD2. After about 4 or 5 goes it sunk in and now I only have to say it and she takes herself off there. Obviously she has no idea really at this age why she is there but it is a good way to diffuse my rage the situation and she does indeed stay there until I tell her to come back. I also get a big sloppy kiss when she comes to me I only use if she has hit me or her sister, that kind of thing.

I'll maybe try the naughty corner then - she just isn't very biddable yet. I'm so crap at the discipline thing.

I know this is an echo of an earlier theme, but I lost it (again) with DD1 today. I'm normally so laid back and cheery, and it really does take a lot to get me angry. DD1 is just pushing every one of my buttons just now and I seem to have turned into a screaming skull. I've just gone in to check on her, and she murmered 'I love you Mummy', and I just feel such a failure. My gorgeous little PFB and I'm shouting at her and blaming her for my anger? Shocking.

dd2 seems to get away with her naughtiness. dd1 isn't so fortunate. I've been a bit grumpy just lately too. I don't know what to do to shake me out of this mood.

bp, have been feeling much the same lately, hence my absence from the thread. I've been posting on one in the mental health topic with some other mothers who are feeling kind of crap with our mothering skills right now. I just don't seem to have much patience at all lately

I have so much sympathy for all the anger/grumpiness bp, jabber, margo! It's not a problem for me right now, but I have posted about this many times and hate myself when I shout at either of them. I suspect it will happen again when dt's arrive as tiredness is main trigger for me.

Only thing I can say is that when I get like this, it's a sign I need to look after myself more, go out in the evening with a friend, read a trashy book, whatever but put myself first so that I can then feel better towards the dc's. I suspect my anger is a sign of resentment because there's a certain point at which enough is enough. Does that make sense? And pulsatilla helped a lot with general grumpiness so dp gets me the vial now after an outburst! Wish I had thought of naughty step for ds2 last months as he had been rather 'difficult' but seems to have turned a corner. Hopefully bp, dd2's behaviour is just the lack of routine - ds1 does this periodically and it's usually routine that gets him back on track. Please god don't let either of them do this when dt's are born but I know they will.

Sympathy if you are feeling stressed/angry. Agree with AQ: you need to look after no.1. You don't have to take medication but I've heard accupuncture is great for example. Leave them with someone for a few hours if you are lucky enough (I am not btw) or pay someone. It really helps. I pay a childminder to take DD2 for 2 hours a week so I can go and work in DS's school voluntarily. I know it sound's like a weird choice (as opposed to getting my nails done or some other glam thing) but I love it and it does me good.

Those of you whose DCs are about to start school: once you are over the stress of them actually starting you'll probably find life easier as 1. they are off your hands for a chunk of the day 2. they do a lot of growing up. However, then you have all the pick-ups/drop-offs/after school activities/stuff to remember for school/homework ... arrrgh!!!!!!!!!! That's when you end up in a happy but completely dippy state, like me

Good advice ladies, thanks I think you've both really hit it on the head. I'm much less patient when I'm tired and haven't had a moment to myself. I've been really stressed about the chaos in the house b/c of the huge delay getting our floor down in the bedroom (tis finally done btw as of Saturday!) and the whole work thing of trying to bring in enough money to float everthing atm (extra house, etc). Dh couldn't understand why I flew off the handle last night I had taken the dcs to my parent's house on the lake and we spent the whole day swimming and boating while dh stayed at home to set up the bed, etc in the bedroom. But when we got home everyone was really tired and he didnt want to take the kids for even a moment so I could do something about dinner. He did, finally, but bristled when I made a comment about him having had the whole day "off". I meant off from parenting obviously but he took it badly as I had been "playing at the lake all day". As you know, with two small children there are equal amounts of work and play and it's not all lounging around!

anyway, I have convinced him to take them out for a couple of hours so that maybe I can organize my closet and bathroom a bit. A chaotic house = chaotic mind for me....

I did think after I'd written earlier post that things had been particularly chaotic in recent months for you, jabber! I find imposing some order on small things (e.g. cupboards) helps me feel better about madness of small children too! Your closet will reap the rewards

I find the relentlessness of raising children doesn't help either - its not like you ever get a day off or they decide to be less needy all of a sudden. I don't find myself angry with DD but I do go stir crazy sometimes with boredom. I am so used to working and studying that long periods of being stuck in the house with DD give me cabin fever. If I get out most days I am fine, but all this wet weather recently has really not helped. Am going to have to start going out in full waterproofs just to stop myself going mad.

With two I don't mind being the house sometimes as it's less hassle but generally I just drag them out rain or shine or will go mad. I did wonder if it was me, I find being with just ds2 quite boring sometimes as I'm used to the convos and things I can do with ds1. Now they're both older, I much prefer both at once. Lucky I'm having two more just as ds1 off to school!

how's the sinuses, lennied, mine kicked up today and thought of you. Are you on iron tabs yet?

had another ultrasound today, still too much fluid on twin1 (boy I think) but they're growing fine and everything else alright. Still ordered off work for good though! I'm going to get too used to these days off!

Not too bad at all at the moment AQ - am not on iron tablets - have decided to try Floradix first as worried about constipation getting worse with iron tabs . GP is seeing me on Thurs and am having more bloods then, if no sign of improvement then will start taking the iron. Glad you get bored too - DD seems to have reverted to grunting and crying a lot lately after doing well with her talking for a while. I think her teeth are really bothering her though and I am not being vigilant enough with the calpol.

Glad everything else ok with the twins - are they concerned about the extra fluid - I don't know about these things? How many weeks are you now?

I did hear constipation major prob. with iron tabs, luckily not a side effect of spatone. Glad sinuses have eased up, oh the joys of being pg! DS2 more interested in singing, dancing and playing music than talking but ds1 didn't talk much until he was 2 so I'm not worried as he doesn't shut up now and has a very comprehensive vocabulary!

More fluid means higher risk of prem labour, all they can do is keep an eye on me so I've got a fortnightly scan. I'm nearly 29 weeks, so I've got to start getting read. Nursery being painted next week, must buy buggy, car seat, chest of drawers, car argggghhhh. And today I went shopping after scan and bought a filofax refill. Hmmmm.

Wow! 29 weeks AQ, it's amazing how fast it goes when it's someone else, lol. I'm sure everything will be fine

So far tonight ds1 has put shampoo in ds2's eyes and ds2 has squirted ketchup all over the only carpet in the whole house

Lennied, if you want to join us the other thread is here

Having the day from hell here ... things can only get better

((hugs)) Jabber. I read the whole thread last night. Don't know what to say really but at least you have a support thing going on

Castles, hope your day gets better.

AQ, I can't believe you're at 29 weeks already Bet it feels like forever to you, eh

Jabber, may join your thread ...

Jabber I will have a proper read later - hope you are okay though.

AQ - 29 weeks! Wow! Isn't 37 weeks full term for twins? So have you got to avoid any labour inducing activities? (I mean like pineapple eating before anyone gets any ideas!!)

There are loads of double mountain buggies on ebay at the moment if you are still after one - just when I'm looking for a single . I can highly recommend the car seats that have a base and you just lift out rather than use the seatbelt - so much easier. Halfords are good for car seats - if you buy online and have any problems they will fit or exchange at any of their stores. They have good offers from time to time too. A filofax refill will be very...erm...useful!

I must have a look at your thread jabber, but I hope that your closet is tidier and. I think that all of us on here at one time or another (or several) have felt like this. I really wonder if I won't turn into screaming harridan once twins arrive as I did when ds2 was tiny. BTW, we're still in clearout (bowel) mode and it is awful ughhhh. Thank god I'm not nauseous.

castles, I too hope you're having a better day as you always give me hope of (relative) sanity with 3 or more children!

lennied, ahhh, now I will be selling my single MB urban (I think dp wants to sell it now) now that you mention it. What do you have now that you want to swap? I do love mine so, changed from bugaboo when ds2 born. Would rather sell to a mumsnetter, so much easier than ebaying to strangers! I simply must decide about buggies, mil on phone tonight asking had I got one yet (she's paying for it!).

sorry, forgot to answer your qu re: full term. They'll induce me at 38 for my own comfort (so dr said), no reason that you can't go to 40! Both breech at present, and my god do the kicks hurt, I've never had a baby breech before.

AQ, I've got a spare infant car seat if you want one. It's a Britax Babysure (I think). It's not fancy but it's very light which may be an advantage if you're having to lug 2 around!

Will they let you go for a vaginal labour with the twins? Can't remember if you had VB or CS with the boys. Are you really 29 weeks already?

Life here would be an awful lot better if ds2 would just sleep. Or even just lie in his bed without wanting me sitting beside him until he's comatose. It's probably the worst it's been, simply because he will not settle without someone there. We tried CC/Rapid Return tonight and he became hysterical within 10 minutes and then vomited all over me. So now I don't know what to do - that was a kind of last resort. I have to do something because I'm so knackered that I am not a nice mummy, but what? Answers on a postcard please.........

Meh, enough moaning, mine is small fry compared to a lot of you.

(((Jabber))), haven't had time to read the other thread yet but what you say on here rings a big bell with me. Look after yourself.

Lennied, hope the iron levels are okay this time round.

Castles, sympathies on the day from hell - hope it's improved or the dcs are in bed and you have wine.

BP, ds2 is very stroppy too. His favourite word is 'NO' (usually at the top of his voice) and he's discovered how to smack when he's not getting his own way .