March08 mums- tummy and teething troubles!

[fitnfortyone]

new thread for Merry...

[e14mum]

mm- my dd can just about do 2 hours of awake time- but it's about 90min sometimes. Sounds about right to me. They need lots of sleep!

[turtle23]

Time for a new thread, ladies. We're getting too big again. here

[monthlymayhem]

sorry maybelater, but you did ask, and it's the one thing that has gone smoothly for me

merry and 4madboys - sorry to hear you're both having tough times, hope you're getting lots of support and hugs.

As for DH, mine is generally very good at helping out, however really struggles with LO when he cries. DH can handle it for 5 mins tops and then really loses patience. Luckily, LO isn't as bad these days with screamy fits but at the beginning DH was a bit of a nightmare as I felt I couldn't leave LO with him for too long.

Can I ask how everyone elses LOs sleep during the day. Mine wakes up at about 7am, needs to go down for a sleep again around 08.30 until 10.15ish and then wants to sleep again by 12pm. So, he gets really tired after being up for more than 90 mins and I had kind of expected that he would want to be awake for longer periods during the day by now? Or does this sound fairly typical for a 5mo?

[littleducks]

JFly its ok, as your little one gets older he will be more demanding of NEEDING Daddy on occassions and your dh wont be able to escape!

Merry- sorry to hear you are having such a tough time, hope you feel better soon

I just popped onto the thread to inform you all I am raising a genius, last night we got home late so i was quickly putting dcs to bed, a few minutes after putting ds in the cot he pressed the button and turned on his mobile himself! Then after ten minutes turned it off and went to sleep!

Has anyone been signing with their babies?

[JFly]

Well, yes, I did suggest that to him. I have no idea why he needs his buttons undone. I was so shocked after the convo I didn't pursue it further.

I guess the point was that I wasn't doing it "properly" and therefore needed to be told. DH is definitely of the 1950s mold. You should see his father!! DH's mum died last year, so I don't even have her support. DH's brother is better and does help out with his kids, but still, the buck stops with Momma in this family.

So much for the modern man! I must say, though, I did know what I was getting myself into. But I guess I thought that some things, like bath time, would be "fun" and that he'd want to do them. Um, no.

[e14mum]

JFly, why doesn't he unbutton them when he takes them off? Problem solved!

[fitnfortyone]

Turtle and Jfly, your DH's are throwbacks to the dark ages.

Out of curiosity, what difference does it make having shirts unbuttoned in the wash? Surely it makes it more efficient when drying afterwards? Not that I bother too much with this sort of thing since my DH wears tshirts mainly.

Gutted that I can't justify an AIBU post after reading that lot!

[JFly]

Turtle, I've commented on your thread.

Also, for everyone's reading pleasure, I wanted to recount a recent convo with my DH.

DH: Can you please unbutton my shirts before you wash them?
Me: Are you serious? Why?
DH: If you're going to do the laundry, then do it properly.
Me: OK, then you can wash them yourself.
DH: OK, then you go back to work. I'm not going to pay for you to stay at home and do nothing.



It's not always like that, but I can so sympathise with your situation.

[e14mum]

hey 4mb- so nice to see you back.

DD is wanting less milk this week than usual- 4x7oz that go unfinished and dream feed is 2-3oz(going to try to drop it this week). Still, she's almost 17lb and would win the gold medal for largest cheeks in the baby olympics!

Didn't post about weight earlier, I still have abot a stone to lose and it's all belly- I hate it! let's all grrrr together.

[Ewe]

4madboys, so sorry to hear you've been struggling, well done for getting help and it sounds like you're getting things under control. I think you're amazing having four children, I struggle enough with one! Have an uncharacteristic MASSIVE from me

I'm off on hols again tomorrow, to Devon this time and then off to Ibiza with the girls which was a present for my birthday from my Mum and she is paying for us to go with her to Devon for the week, love her SO much!

If the London ladies were planning a meet up I would love to come if you happen to do it first week in September before I am back at work - know it was mentioned earlier in the thread. See you all in a week or so!

[maybelaterdarling]

By the way, that was meant to be more of a pretend angry face. I'm really just jealous but too lazy/greedy to do anything about it rather than moan.

[maybelaterdarling]

Sorry to hear all of that 4madboys. It sounds like you are getting a lot of support, and I hope that you make steady progress.

I know full well that housework should take a back seat in preference to the children. But although I really am not obsessively housepround by any stretch of the imagination, I struggle to relax when I know some jobs need doing. I'm also struggling with dd2's horrendous tantrums, and tiredness for me is a killer. I don't have patience at the best of times.

We have a whopper too. ds is 5 months and now in 9 to 12 month babygros, but only 18 lb, so long and skinny. A pure joy of a baby mind you.

Merry, feel for you. Exercise (or just a walk in the fresh air) is such a mood enhancer. I hope your appointment is soon and that things pick up quick smart afterwards.

So following my nosey request earlier in the week it seems that for the vast majority of us we still have a little way to go in terms of weight loss and getting back to our pre-baby shapes, and that Monthly Mayhem is clearly exhibiting freaky weight loss behaviour (that I for one really don't need to hear about ).

[4madboys]

hello all

been trying to read back but havent been around for a while.

sorry to hear about the RA (((merry)))

right my life, well my PND hit an alltime low and i was actually hospitalised for a week my head was not in a good place, it was VERY scary. things are now improving slowly, the mental health team have been visiting me at home and i am getting help with the boys from home start and social services, just an extra pair of hands, so someone to watch or play with the boys whilst i try and do some housework... etc

have medication for the depressiong and anxiety and also some stuff to help me sleep when necessary.

dp had almost three weeks compassionate leave from work, tho he is back at work now.

its not easy at all i am really struggling on a daily basis but i am surviving, i know it will be along haul but i will get well again, i just have to take it slowly and the psychiatrist keeps reminding me to be patient, not one of my strong points.

ds4 is still a star, huge wearing 9-12mth clothes he is now just 5mths, havent started weaning him yet as he doesnt seem hungry, still sleeps through and only had 4 8oz bottles each day he weighs 20+ lbs tho, he is rolling around all over the place and goes backwards, so have to make sure the elder three keep their lego out of his way now

and as for weight loss, well being in hospital meant i lost about half a stone, the food was so bad and i dont have much of an appetite at the moment and i am trying to go swimming a couple of times a week, need to lose another half a stone and tone up a bit, but i am a size 12 at the mo, they are lose but a ten is a bit too tight, most annoying but i will get there, trying not to stress about it too much....

lovely to hear all about how well the babies are doing and the exciting stories of weaning, as ds4 isnt interested i will hang on until 6mths but i have bought some little tubs and ice cube trays etc in preparation, going to do a combination of mushy stuff and blw i think

[spugs]

Ive put on 4lbs since boobs, but some of that has got to be my huge belly! its ridiculus i look 4 mths pregnant again. I havent lost all my baby weight but to be honest im not bothered. just need to tone up some of my blubber!

Have started weaning, shes had baby rice today but was not impressed in the slightest! might try sweet pot instead.

[Ewe]

I went to gym n swim this afternoon and weighed myself - I still have over a stone to lose It's all tummy here too, legs n arms are back to normal and pre preg clothes fit as all my jeans are low waisted but I still have a jelly belly.

Hopefully all the rushing around/no time for lunchbreaks when back at work will help.

[WinkyGirl]

Am fat fat fat! Probably about 1/2 stone heavier than before I was pg. But this is my second baby and the weight just fell off after my first. I fear this time will be harder
Its the belly that is really annoying...

[skidoodle]

Oh merryberry sorry to hear you're having such a tough time.

In answer to your earlier question - I'm quite liking being back at work. I'm utterly exhausted at the moment ad feel like I never have a spare minute but I guess I'm happier when I have too much to do.

DD goes to a childminder from 9am to 4.30 every day. I decided to go the CM route so she could be in a more family-like environment. So far it seems to be working out well. The CM's two DDs adore her and apparently argue over whose turn it is to hold her

On Friday I went to pick her up and when I went in she was sitting there the little chair she uses up there and chatting and laughing away with her "friends". It was weird to see her as a person apart from me iyswim, but really nice at the same time.

monthlymayhem less than 8 stone? the weight you were at 18? and thrice

lost a stone quite quickly, then gained about 1/2 a stone due to constant scoffing of cakes and chocolate. BFing makes me really hungry. To be fair, I probably should have put on more than half a stone given how much I was putting away

But BFing has been going so well (after a terrible start) and I have great supply and my milk seems really creamy and I'm not prepared to do anything that might put that at risk. And denying myself an entire packet of little muffins would be very risky indeed

More recently I've been trying not to be a total greedy guts and that has coincided with DD suddenly being very hungry. For the first time I feel I'm at my limit of supply - I'm worried she's not getting quite enough.

In the last week or two I've started looking much slimmer and my tummy has really gone down (stupid C Section ) but I weighed myself today in the room where I express and I still weight 12 stone. That is around 2.5 stone more than I weighed before I got pregnant and only .5 stone less than when I was 9 months pregnant. So I have no idea what's going on with that.

My shape is starting to resemble my old self, so I guess soon it will start to make more sense. 12 stone is heavier than I've ever been when not pregnant and is more weight that I thought I could carry. I certainly usen't be the kind of woman who looked good at size 14 (unlike you HQ). It may be that that has changed, which would really please me

Anyway, I guess I'll worry more about it when I stop BFing. I'm doing a lot of cycling and walking to and from work and the CM, so that might help too.

[wearehipsandmakers]

Sooooo..... went into town today and now have to get bus back home. Got on with Phil & ted with 2 kids and 1 bag of shoppping and managed to run over an elderly gentlemens foot. then had to cope with the glowers of 2 other oaps and mutterings off 'didn't even apolgise' while I sat there and pretended not to hear when what I wanted to do was say ' I did apologise, but he must have missed that because he was too busy swearing at me and what the hell are you three fiends of hell old dears sitting in the wheelchair/pushchair space for anyway, you have neither, oh silly me I forgot- you all like to stretch your legs out and have room for your shopping trolleys.'. But I didn't so I'm saying it to all you instead.
On the plus side- on day 2 of the stayathome-athon- I picked up an entire plan city road for £4 at the 2nd hand toy stall. Bargain!
merryberry- a friend of mine has rheumatoid arthritis and she found physiotherapy really helpfull- she was struggling even with pushchair clasps before and now she seems much better.

[merryberry]

Just saw an event today! miraculously both boys asleep at the same time for over an hour. amazing. anyway it was the 400m mens semi final. Plasti coated go faster Australian, too cool for school Jamaican, serious African types. And a distinctly hungover looking, unshaven, white singleted, pocket flapping brit boy who promptly came last.

National stereotypes, I love em. restores my faith after all these medal wins i've been hearing about!

sadly swimming out for time being as well, tried a while back and knocked my shoulders into a pain stratosphere i didn't knwo existed. (winces at memory). the drugs wil work, tghey will, just waiting til they start.

had 1st ever acupuncture sesh at w/e to kill time and trya nd help while waiting. did know harfm, was very interesting and has possibly been a help: hard to tell as i was easing up since last week on the recent flare i'd had. might have been feeling better anyway. deffo odd, acupuncture though, i went bright pink!

[fitnfortyone]

I was losing weight quite easily post birth for the first couple of months, then stress set in so I comfort ate for another 6 wks or so until I got the yeast overload. Since cutting out the sugar I lost another half stone again, but still got 5lb to go to get to my pre pregnancy weight. And even then I'm still way over the clinically obese BMI, as my WII fit loves to remind me! Hopefully will start to lose a bit more with the bellydancing, starting again tonight after a false start a couple of weeks ago when it was postponed. Won't be able to snack so much when I go back to work as they've got rid of our canteen, so will have to do packed lunches. I suspect it should in theory be easier to lose weight when we have toddlers due to so much running around after them, but obviously that doesn't ring true for those who've gone on to have 2nd babies and say they never lost the first baby weight.

MB, is swimming out for you as well? Always lovely in the water due to lack of loadbearing, but unfortunately everything creaks back into place when you have to get out. If not, try to exercise vicariously by watching the Olympics . I do think of you every time I wake up with all my joints aching, but am in denial about possibly having similar problems, combined with not wanting to be told by the GP that it's all in my head.

[merryberry]

i'm putting it on, as i can hardly move i'm like a dog now, i dream of chasing things in my sleep, and have had very vivid recalls of major surfing breaks i took in my 20s. had a call today, my thyroid results have gone awry, so maybe some help there for me with increased thyroxine dose. i would kill for some exercise, but it is completly forbidden until i get my consultant appt in case i damage my joints. am actually not overeating by much at all despite attractions of food for comfort, but as all i am managing is to shamble along after the kids and occassionally twiddle my ankles in front of the goggle box, the weight continues to creep on. i'm a pretty pissed off bunny: both my post natal periods have been wrecked by major health syndromes. i am loving being a mum to two, but it is increasingly hard.

as all the homestart volunteers are on holiday, we've worked out funds for a mother's help until treatment starts for me in sept, but i'm reluctant to find someone, i will miss our privacy. oh well, better get onto it.

[monthlymayhem]

Glad you had a good holiday skidoodle - it was my first time in Portugal and really enjoyed it.

Well, I've got to admit that the weight thing is the one aspect of having a baby which was easy for me. Don't throw things, but I was back in my normal jeans 5 days after LO was born. He was my first though, and I did keep up lots of exercise until I was 7 mths pregnant. I've been back running once a week since LO was 6 weeks old, and that combined with breastfeeding has actually meant I'm half a stone lighter than my normal weight (it's the first time I've been under 9 stone since I was 18!) and yet I've been eating like a horse!!

Anyway, LO has been very grumpy and sicky the last few days - I'm blaming injections, teething and the crap weather! It is dry at the moment so I'm going to get him out for a good walk.

[wearehipsandmakers]

Life??? I vaguely remember having one of those. DS is off nursery this week with slapped face syndrome which results in me trying to entertain him ALL BY MYSELF!!! Can't do playdates untill the rash dies down and as it really does look like I've been smacking him upside the head I'm reluctant to take him out in case I get arrested.
Weight is annoying- I actually lost weight in pregnancy until the last month so I thought that I might carry on losing it once I'd had DD but the glasses of wine are putting paid to that. I am trying to do sit-ups (raspberrys of amusement from DD notwithstanding) but the sleep deprivation is really making doing anything tough. Is it wrong to wean at 5 months mainly to try and ensure that your only holiday this year doesn't pass in a 3 hourly feeding cycle blur?

[maybelaterdarling]

We sound quite similar then HQ. I love your definition of starving weight!

With dd2 I did a mix of purees and BLW (although I had never heard the term then) and it worked really well.I personally think its good for them to get used to a spoon. And I know it is said that they don't need calories from food until they are 1 but both dd1 and 2 were wanting a lot of food by about 9 months (although memory is vague) and they wouldn't have been able to achieve that with their hands.

[HolidaysQueen]

maybelater - i was thinking only yesterday that i'm no longer getting the "wow you look great" comments that i was when ds was 1, 2 months old...

I've lost all but about half a stone - lost all the weight within about 3 weeks and then this half stone has stayed since then. I blame breastfeeding when really it is my persistent snacking habit I want to lose a bit more than that as in the 3 months between wedding and getting pregnant I'd actually put on about half a stone. Obviously wedding weight was almost starving weight - which for me is 3 square meals a day and a glass of wine but no snacks - so I doubt I'll ever get back to that. Basically I want to be back to my usual borderline 14/16 size. When DS starts solids I'm going to start some decent exercise. My plan is to be comfortable (i.e. just squidgy bits as opposed to plain fat bits)in my bikini by our holiday in November.

skidoodle - glad work is going well. I'm very impressed that you are still managing to breastfeed and are fitting in all that expressing. Bravo!

I was cooking and freezing some bargain organic apples yesterday for ds. gave him a little bit on my finger - he pulled a very unhappy face but licked it all off! He's 20 weeks now - not planning to start in earnest for another month provided things stay roughly as they are (he's being a faffy feeder at the moment but is not unhappy/unsatisfied). Skidoodle - think I'm a bit like you. Not sure I want to go the whole hog on BLW but too lazy to mush everything for very long!