July 07..Happy Birthday, ..little monkeys..

[twoplusone]

I ladies thought I would start this..

I cant believe they are starting to and are going to be turning one.. This year has flown over.. I miss being pregnant. But i love watching lee playng with his older brother and sister, it always makes me smile.
I love the fact that he is now playing properly , will go to his toy box pull himself up and see what he wants to play with.. normally after throwing everything round the front room first..No such thing as a tidy room in this house.. How do people do it.

Hope everyone is ok.. speak soon

Hi 2+1
Just quick message to say you're not on your own on the new thread. Just having a quick catch up as just got back from hols this afternoon. will put proper post on soon.

I found the new thread - hooray (it only took me about 6 months to find the first thread!)

2+1 - I agree! Isnt it great to see them playing! I still cannot take my eyes off of DS. He never ceases to amaze me and he makes me so happy when I look at him.

Okay, at work and getting all teary eyed!

Meant to add, Madmum, beautiful pictures. You all look absolutely gorgeous! Hope you had a fantastic day

Thank you Meep & MFO....getting used to the idea of being a Mrs. finally - although how long did it take you all to master signing your new name? I'm sure I look like a fraud as I pause for ages when signing anything at the mo!!

2+1- that was a lovely message to start the thread with, and I agree so much with everything you wrote! I really feel like Mairi's personality has blossomed now, she makes me laugh so much as she's so stubborn and single-minded, very vocal and expressive, and getting into things DS never even looked at (and she still can't crawl, just half shuffles about!). I thought boys were meant to be the ones to give you a run around but I think in my case it'll be our wee girl! She adores her big bro, it melts my heart watching them together (ok now I'm getting teary!!).

Happy (if tiring) days!

Does anyone have or can find the list of birthdays for our LOs?

If not, can I start one?

madmarriedNika's Mairi- 26th June

madmarriedNika's Mairi- 26th June
meep's minimeep Emily - 4th July

am with you on the stubborn & singlemindedness - my wee girl knows what she wants and makes sure to let you know if you are doing something she doesn't want!

Well to make up for the continuing night wakenings (ugh!) she has learnt how to give me a kiss! It might be gooey and snotty but getting a little open mouthed smack on the lips is just the most lovely thing ever!

MFO - can I join you on being teary eyed at work!

madmarriedNika's Mairi- 26th June
meep's minimeep Emily - 4th July
bilblio's Bryher - 20th July

Aww at the kisses meep. B purses her lips and makes kissing noise lots (like half the drive to Somerset & back when she wasn't sleeping) but I've not managed to teach her to kiss my cheek yet, or throw the kisses with her hand.

A 3rd stubborn single-minded girl here too. I thought the tantrums weren't supposed to start until they were 2?
I have to admire her determination though. My Mum has a couple of the old cast iron iron's (the kind you would heat up on the stove to use.) They're really heavy, Mum uses them as doorstops. B was pushing them around on the floor and even picking them up. Mum decided they were a bit too dangerous if she dropped them so hid them right at the back of a low shelf she has. Somehow B managed to reach to the back of this shelf and get the iron back out. I haven't a clue how she did it, it's a deep shelf and I struggle to reach back there.

madmarriedNika's Mairi- 26th June
pulapula's Ben - also 26th June
meep's minimeep Emily - 4th July
bilblio's Bryher - 20th July

Must go and collect the kids from nursery, so only a quick post.

Meep- Ben's sleep went a bit wonky when he learnt to crawl as he would have great fun crawling round. He still takes a while to settle if he's not quite tired enough, but at least now when he wakes in the night, I can just lay him back down (he's usually sat up) and he'll go back off again (he's not really fully awake). So it should get better (it took a couple of weeks).

Bilblio- I am also addicted to poker on Facebook- have now got my pro £100k and am very proud!

Have finally got my periods again (was waiting for them as we have decided to try for DC no. 3!). So watch this space (Justabout- don't mention this at DS's party next week as we haven't mentioned to anyone that we're seriously thinking about 3!). The ideal is to have a baby next summer as DD will start school in Sept so I will only have the 2 at home (not sure I can cope with 3!) and as I will probably have another elective c-section, DH can take a few weeks off over summer too. I decided to go down to one breastfeed a day in the hope that it might stimulate ovulation but it happened straighaway so think it would have happened even on 2 feeds a day. I tried to get DS to have a feed the other morning (too lazy to go and get his cup) but he wouldn't entertain it! It's amazing how quickly they adapt to the new routine. Just the bedtime feed left now.

Oops- better rush now!

PS DS will lean forward and open his mouth if i ask him for a kiss. Very cute, and very different to DD who wouldn't kiss at all til recently and if asked for a kiss she will put her head down for a kiss on her forehead.

Is anyone else's LO getting very clingy? DS doesn't like me leaving the room or walking away and tries to crawl after me. He's also getting very vocal when I stop him moving to get him dressed/nappy change etc and he's very cute when I ask him to come back - he'll turn and look and then crawl away at high speed!

Pula oh yes I've got a clingy little boy. That's going to be knocked out of him this weekend though because I'm off to London. OMG I am so excited. I'm going to Taste of London and dh is going to have to cope with ds for 2 whole days and nights. I've expressed loads in the freezer, but we tried him with cows milk last night and he was fine with that so......Yes we're trying for number 3 too but I haven't had a period since I was in Cuba in April 2005 so who knows.

oooh very exciting about you ladies TTC'ing #3! We too have decided we'd like another, but obviously for us it's a bit complicated due to Mairi's CF, so we have to have some meetings etc. first and work out what route to go down, although I think we already know...

pulapula we're also now down to just the bedtime breastfeed, although if M wakes in the night (partly due to me waking her for physio if she's been uncooperative at bedtime) she has an extra feed. Just started to try her on cows milk and she's not convinced!!

madmarriedNika's Mairi- 26th June
pulapula's Ben - also 26th June
meep's minimeep Emily - 4th July
melissam's EvelynGrace - 8th July
bilblio's Bryher - 20th July

Great idea the birthday list!

Hope everyone's lo's are over there illnesses.

mmn - Glad cf review went well. Wedding piccies are lovely. Glad you all had such a lovely day.

and at those of you ttc! Good luck.

We're still bf'ing here too. Although usually 3 feeds still. EG won't entertain formula so I'm hoping that she will take cows milk. Will try her in a couple of weeks when back from a -torturous- holiday to Ireland with my mum and her sisters. (if you haven't guessed I'm not looking forward to it). Kisses are plentiful although usually involve a very open mouthed dd trying to take a chunk out of my nose. 1 day in nursery and she learnt how to make kissing noises with her mouth when kisses are blown at her. Lots of night waking here too Trying hard to get dd sorted now as back to work in a few weeks and can't cope with broken sleep. DD is also v clingy at the moment and has been for a few weeks. She follows me round, and clings to my legs whenever possible. atleast most of the time she is standing doing this and will wonder round the room with me if I walk slowly enough. Does cry when I leave the room unless engrossed in something else, which is becoming very tiring!

Did someone go camping with their lo a few months back (poss last year)? We've just had a week camping in Weymouth and it was really hard work. DD kept trying to crawl out of the tent under the door. Both DD and DH were ill for the first 4 days (upset tummy, whiney and rash). thankfully they both picked up and the last few days were much better. Took DD to beach, swannery and childrens farm. She did try to eat the sand and every pebble she could get her hands on though. At least she enjoyed it. And she didn't even mind the sea (until she tried to sit down - think it was a little cold!)

Right - just seem the time. Better go to bed otherwise I won't get any sleep. I am shattered but had a coffee and tea earlier (normally only drink decaf). That'll teach me!

madmarriedNika's Mairi- 26th June
pulapula's Ben - also 26th June
meep's minimeep Emily - 4th July
melissam's EvelynGrace - 8th July
catstar's Orlena - 14 July
bilblio's Bryher - 20th July

Thanks for starting birthday list!

Ladies - I am in shock ! Was just a couple of days late with AF, did a test this morning and it's positive!!! I'm up the duff again (as my eloquent DH would put it). Feeling guilty as I had some brie and 2 glasses of wine last night . Thought there was no chance of a +.

Can't think about much else at the moment but hope everyone okay!

Catstar - that is lovely news - a wee Feb/March baby for you! You'll need to start a new thread - but make sure you still come back here lots to tell us how the bump is prgressing! And don't feel guilty - I had at least 3 boozy nights before I realised I was pregnant - I had given up hope but hadn't factored in the power of 5 reflexology sessions - and dd is fine and well!

I can't actually remember when my AF is due - think it's in the next week or so - I don't feel pg - but who knows..........!

I can't wait till minimeep turns one - the end of sterilising and the end of formula. Ever since bf went wrong in the early days I have hated making up bottles for her - it would make me sob as it just wasn't what I wanted or expected to be doing. So it will be nice to close the door on that chapter of her life!

A close friend of mine is training to be a bf counsellor so I know that if I do have another baby I will have really good help to establish bf and I am also a hell of alot more knowledgeable having been on MN!

I love the b'day list - it's lovely seeing all the names of our babies (or toddlers for some of them!). Everyone must post 1st birthday pics on their profile so we can see them all smeared with chocolate cake!

Pula - you have given me hope about the sleep thing. Minimeep was awake a few times last night but we just let her shout for a bit and she settled herself again - but at 3am we got full blown tears so I was up to administer calpol and dh took over the tummy rubs! That seemed to work well - I think because it wasn't me she wasn't so distraught when dh left the room - with me she reaches out the cot and holds on to me and won't let me go. So another clingy one here too!

Must go - have a trip to the docs - nusery has had an outbreak of impetigo and minimeep has a wee scaly/crusty patch on her leg. So I suppose I will just have to take the day off work tomorrow too..............sigh !

Congrats again Catstar!

AF just arrived - that'll be why my boobs were hurting then !

oooooh big congrats Catstar!! Very happy for you! Like meep said make sure you keep updating us here as well Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly.

I have pondered for ages over what is the "ideal" age gap between DCs, and really don't think there is such a thing- BUT there's 20 months between me and my sister (I'm a July baby, she was born in March 20 months later) and we get on sooo well (although of course squabbled the usual amount as we grew up- but never massive fights apparently). A 2yr2month gap seems to be working well between my DCs but who knows- I think it's more to do with personalities and your attitudes than timing... (I hope!)

Good luck all you TTCers xx

PS. meep- I really feel for you about the BFing. I had huge battles establishing feeding with both of mine, especially DS, and found it incredibly hard as I'd set my heart on BFing. I'd all but given up with DS (after 9 weeks of constant expressing) but then he had a hernia op & I met a wonderful nurse who supported me so much (& started using nipple shields which for both of mine were needed to start with) and that turned the corner for us. If I hadn't met her I know we'd have been bottle feeding formula. It annoys me so much that support is so inadequate, sometimes in the hospitals but very often once you are back home. I really hope next time you get lots of well-experienced, practical support. I still had to fight to see a BFing counseller with DD after she had probs latching in SCBU

Lots of hugs xxxx

Thanks Ladies . Still got lots of emotions running round my head - can we afford it, will a 20 month gap be really tough, what will work think (I won't even make it a year back at work!!)? More importantly, which double buggy should I go for ! Seriously, DH and I are very happy about the news - still early days so let's hope everything goes smoothly.

My sis and I are 18 months apart, with another 2 yrs between her and my youngest sis. It's lovely as we are all very close, but must have been hard for my Mum as my Dad left when littlest sis was only a few months old . Single parent to 3 under 4's = big headache!! Add to that no car and no washing machine (terry nappies!!!) and you get the picture!

Meep, feel for you with the impetigo - we are also off to the GP this afternoon. Nursery just called to say they think Little O has hand, foot and mouth disease!!! Don't think there's much can be done about it - I just need to get a diagnosis. She should be able to go in tomorrow . Also read it's not great for pg women to catch it, but would be rare to cause probs.

I also hope I'll have more success with the bf second time around. Feel a little bit wiser (and will possibly be a bit more relaxed) about the whole thing and will push for more support if I need it. MMNika - like you, I expressed for 9 weeks (v hard work) but unfortunately my supply dried up after that.

Really must do some work now!

MNNika - I really think nipple shields might have helped me - I kind of freaked out when both nipples were bleeding/sore and I backed off from bf and I think that's when the guilt set in. I asked about shields and was told that using them was like putting on a sticking plaster - it woudln't solve the problem - maybe not but it might have let me heal and get dd latching on properly without screaming. Sorry - still and .

Enough of me ranting - minimeep doesn't have impetigo - hooray! The circular patch nursery saw is just eczema. But it is still going round her nursery so she still has time to add it to her long list of nursery acquired bugs!

Poor Little O - have just googled it and it sounds horrid. Hope she feels better soon (and that you don't catch it)

Hellooooo all - haven't dipped in here for months - but just saw the thread title and thought - oooh that's me!

Well - ds2 anyway . Unlike my older three, he is much more mobile at this age. Crawls everywhere, pulls up to standing, cruises round the furniture, can stand unaided for a couple of seconds, and walks holding one hand. The others were all just sitting and/or maybe crawling at this age!

He is also very tiny - right off the bottom of the scale - he is still in 6-9 month clothes (which I have to turn up!!). I'm sure he will even out in time.

Still b/fing - he slept through for about 10 days a couple of weeks ago then went back to night feeding which, given his size, I'm reluctant to push him into stopping. However I'm so exhausted by it all that I am trying to drop one of the night feeds again. He doesn't really need it, it's just comfort food

Congrats to those who are pg again - I've just been down to the charity shop this morning with the last of my maternity gear - never again!!! Four is plenty for me

So - to add to the birthday thingy -

madmarriedNika's Mairi- 26th June
pulapula's Ben - also 26th June
meep's minimeep Emily - 4th July
melissam's EvelynGrace - 8th July
catstar's Orlena - 14 July
bilblio's Bryher - 20th July
justabout's LO - 23rd July
Miaou's ds2 - 25th July

I shall do a joint birthday party with ds1 who will be 3 exactly a week after ds2 turns 1 - handy, that

Huge congrtulations catstar.

Glad to hear everyone is well.. and ttc its great. I am broody, but dont think i could cope with 4 not with dh being away all the time..

It is ds1 4th bday today soI am missing dh a little more than usual..but never mind ds1 has had a fab day and that is what is important. Birthday list is a great idea

madmarriedNika's Mairi- 26th June
pulapula's Ben - also 26th June
meep's minimeep Emily - 4th July
melissam's EvelynGrace - 8th July
catstar's Orlena - 14 July
bilblio's Bryher - 20th July
justabout's LO - 23rd July
Miaou's ds2 - 25th July
2+1 Lee -18th july

Oh need to add lee has stood a few times today totally unaided....

madmarriedNika's Mairi- 26th June
pulapula's Ben - also 26th June
meep's minimeep Emily - 4th July
melissam's EvelynGrace - 8th July
catstar's Orlena - 14 July
bilblio's Bryher - 20th July
justabout's LO - 23rd July
Jennster's ds - 23rd July
Miaou's ds2 - 25th July
2+1 Lee -18th july

Congratulations Catstar!

Congrats Catstar!
Right off to have a much earlier night (stifles yawn)