January 08 shiny new - year babies, " Food, glorious food...there's nothing quite like it!"

[lilyloo]

Well done Filly

Hi all

Bluebell - I am having problems getting milk into DD too. Not because she doesn't like it she is just too nosey and keeps turning head to see what is going on, wants to try and hold bottle herself, tries to push it out of mouth etc but her solid intake is nowhere near as good as Ruby's. She can only manage half a weetabix for breakfast!! I am going to try her on my purees again tomorrow after laying off them for a couple of days. Got 4 cubes of parsnip out.

A quick question: Does anyone still sterilise their Lo's bottles???

Going on hols for 2 wks on 15th Aug and don't know whether to pack it or not. There is a dishwasher there so could use that. What does everyone else do?

Just popping in to say hi...nothing of any interest to report! Been trying to catch up...think I've sort of managed it but please forgive any ommissions...

Bluebell - that looks like a lot of food...when my ds was eating that much it affected his milk and we were advised to cut back on the solids slightly (eg 1 weetabox not 2) which got him drinking more again.

Gingeme - about sick boys...have you got your new washing machine yet?

Madmouse - sounds like you're right to be calling Nathans' bluff - by 6 months he definitely shouldn't been waking to feed 2-4 times in the night. It sounds like he's got used to using you as sleep prop - maybe you could get him to suck his thumb or something so that he can settle himself when he wakes in the night? I think you're amazing for coping with it so well!

JKS...that sounds absolutely blardy awful!!!! In fact, I can't believe you haven't packed your bags and left already! But since you're probably still there I think you should make dh primary carer for the duration of the stay - after all, they're his parents!

LaTrucha - sorry you've been having a bit of a tough time, hope things are easing up?

Simpson - can't believe you're worrying about ds' party already! We've got ds' 3rd birthday party here on 31st August...haven't given it any thought yet at all! Maybe I should? But I think we'll just do sandwiches (can't go wrong with philadelphia on white bread, egg mayo on granary and tuna mayo on either...and doesn't take long to make or cost much!). Why not use tinned fruit salad rather than fresh? Much less work and more 'party' like, but still healthy if you buy the one in fruit juice with no sugar. I've agreed to make ds a Thomas cake....[panic emoticon]...no idea how I'm going to pull this off....!!!

MrsMc - hi! Oh, I had a name change....used to be Fluffymummy....I got your texts when the lo arrived and then hit radio silence...how is Spain? We all missed you on here!

Lucky...I am so so so of your dog...you have no idea! My dh keeps saying the same thing ("I don't think its the right time but if you really want one then go for it") but I feel its too big a decision to make on my own and I don't want to be held responsible by him when at some point something goes wrong/gets complicated etc. So I just keep on nagging him and hopefully eventually he will give in but it will be a 'joint' (ahem!) decision...

Ummm...oh god, I've forgotten whatever it was I was going to write...

Time to clear up the kitchen, love to all xx

Filly - Do what I did. Register to be a foster family. You can stipulate all about the LO's etc. (My DP has stated he is having nothing to do with the dog) but I know when he sees an 11mo lab he'll change his mind and who knows I might get to keep him

Seriously though, this is how i'm satisfying my urge for a dog. My main reason was the area we live in. I've heard that there's been a breakin at one of the empty houses now and apparently the estate agent's are worried about squatters. I hate living here so hopefully a dog that'll let me know when people are in my yard etc will make me feel a little safer.

Filly - good idea regarding fruit salad When is your Ds's birthday? My DS's is on 31st August but we have only just come back from hols and then away a couple of days later to Ireland so doing party a bit later. Imagine we could have Dcs born on the same day

Bluebell - the daytime milk is the first to go - Amelie is still bf so don't know quantities, but as far as milk feeds go she has some a little while after breakfast when she goes down for a nap, none with lunch (have been trying to introduce water but she's not bothered). Sometimes milk mid-afternoon, none with tea, then milk at bedtime (and when she wakes in the night)

Bluebell - Don't know if this will help you but today.

DD had a bottle at 6am then breakfast at 9am(sausages and beans )
Bottle at 10am, then nap.
Lunch (tub of spinach and something which stank but she loved) at 12:30 then bottle at 3pm, and dinner of sausages and cheese with pasta followed by a final bottle at 8:30. (bottles are always 8oz but she didn't finish her 10am one)

Hi all

Took DD to be weighed today for first time in ages and she is 18'10. I thought she might be more because everyone says she a big girl (not fat but tall & chunky) and as she is my first I had no idea weather she was big/small. ANyway it put my mind at rest knowing that her weight was about average(ish) and she is not a giant baby lol!

Food and sleep still going well here and DD went down for my sister last night without too much of a fuss. She can be a little stroppy if I dont put her to bed but yesterday she didnt mind.

Think my DD is addicted to cheese spread butties, she just cant get enough of em. Its great tho because she feeds herself so I can eat too. Have to stop myself feeding them to her every mealtime lol

Sorry for no personals am nursing a bit of a hangover today. Self inflicted I know so I dont expect any pitty.

Am touched that so many of you remember me

Hey LaTrucha you?ve changed your name!! absolutely love your pics!! What a cutie Sabela is. Xavier is fab thank you, he is more wonderful than I ever imagined he has two little teeth at the bottom and is such a happy little guy! I?m still bf too but only 2/3 times a day now.

Housemum hello you! It is hard finding ?net? time isn?t it?! I know what you mean about our babies growing up, we are actually thinking about #2 I love just watching Xavier sleep which sadly, now he is in his own room I can?t do as much Amelie is sitting ? wow! I know what you mean about the rolling, Xavier gets up on all fours and sways but only moves slightly backwards! sorry to hear about the night waking, that must be hard on you I loved your pics too, such gorgeous girls! Just bought that Ikea high chair!

Hello Simpson, nice to meet you, yes, I don?t think we?ve met before, belated congrats on your DD!

Hey Madmouse sorry for the long sabbatical! and sorry to hear about Nathan not eating much, I am very lucky, Xavier will eat anything and everything and cries when it ends I am following Annabel Karmel?s weaning plan and we are on week 5 (or so, if I feel he is too young for something, like toast, I delay it a week or so) can?t complain to me about the heat, it was 42c here today! LOL about the poos, that?s boys for you! Xavier was exclusively bf until 5 months but since then, I?ve needed a bit of help. He?s 6 months and a week today and weighs just over 7kg but is very long.

Hello Luckysalem ? how are you?! Xavier still has 5 milk feeds a day as well as 3 meals; I don?t think he?s ready to drop any yet.

Not met you before Rockdoctor ? hello I know how you feel about babies and holidays, we took DS away at 12 weeks and it felt like a holiday to come home!

Hello Gingeme I still marvel at all your boys!! Xavier likes water and juice but prefers the watered down juice so if I?m worried about his intake, I give him that thankfully, he?ll take a cup. All things are good with us at the moment thanks

Nice to meet you Betterhalf and Kelix, justkeepswimming and Bluebell82

Hey Nicky6 hello Amani

So Mixedmama what were you all saying about me then? how are you? Good memory! Yes, we are now in Spain.

Hello Lilyloo sounds like your DD is coming on great lengths, we?ve not really tried any finger foods yet, just purees but he?s happy with lumps.

Hey Fluffy/Filly sorry for the radio silence packing up in Scotland and moving on took it all out of me. So, what was your LO?? DS or DD??

Bloody Hell MrsMC - You've not lost your touch!! Missed you!!

Evening ladies. Hey were not sick all the time in our house you know Luckily ds2 is much better. He had a fish finger and a bit of mash when we had our dinner and a couple of Snack a Jacks and went to bed feeling alot better.
Oh yes I have my new machine and its seeing lots of action. Glad someone in this house is
Mrsmcjnr your just fab at the round up posts. So glad your doing well at this motherhood lark
Well thats about it from me.
Oh George is going off his milk too. About the only full 7ozs he'll have is at bed time the rest hell have as a sort of drink to wash his solids down. Tried him with another lumpier jar today. He just gagged on every spoonfull but he did manage to dring a little bit of juice from his cup so that was a good thing.
Well off to bed to see what fun tonight brings
Night all sweet dreams xxx

hey mrsmc - i used to be katyt but got bored with that and nemo is on so much in our house that i had to choose something from that.
glad you are doing well in spain, at 42 degrees!

gingeme - glad ds2 is better.

filly - well dh did say yesterday 'just basically give me orders (within reason)!'
the silly thing is when we arrive, mil says well you can relax now ...
fil admitted yesterday that the driveway gate isn't secure at all - great. and dh told him about the side access so he's put a table across the gap
they really don't get ds1....

anyway, meant to be having a shower so must rush, ds2 slept 4.30-8.30 (crashed out) 9-2.30 then up till about 5, ds1 up just after 5, another cr*p nights sleep.....

best go, back later when pil take ds1 out to a farm hopefully.

Hey ladies, with a special hello to MrsMC (two teeth here too - think no.3 is on the way)

Just popping in.

Gingeme - glad boys seem on the mend.

Hi Filly - I was just trying to rememebr what name you used to have. Feeling any fluffier lately? (You changed it because you were unfluffy, as I remember)

JKS - I had another crap night's sleep too. She does have an excuse - teething - but this is getting too much. I think I'm going to have to cut out the night feeds but it's going to break my heart. I know it's up to me to do the dirty work!

DH back! YAY. managed to have a bath without being observed by a baby.

Must go now though. Life insurance company STILL have not taken our premium and the conver started 7 weeks ago!

Hi all

Took DD to be weighed this morning she is now 15lbs 8 ozs so getting there

LaTrucha - sorry you had another bad night. I had one with DD the night before last and it was awful.

Mrs Mac So the legendary posts are true We are also THINKING of Dc no.3 in this house. Still undecided, I would love to have another DH not so sure. It would mean DD and Lo would have to share a room too.

Anyway more later...

LaTrucha know what you mean about having a peaceful bath. I miss my evening baths with no one around so to speak. I usualy have a shower in the mornings when dh is here because he works evenings and I just wouldn't chance it while babys are in bed and I can't hear them over the water.
Think ds5 having a growing spurt or something. He woke at 2am and at 6am for a full bottle! Moved his cot down to the lower setting too. Woke this morning to find him holding on to the bar rocking back and forward dangerously ready to go over the top
Well were off to Clown Town now. Was going to the park but its peeing down
Catch you all later. xx

Well we have had a bit of a break through with DD's eating. She has eaten 5 cubes of pureed parsnip for lunch that I made Woo hoo!!

Gingeme - hope your day out is fun

JKS - hope today less stressful for you.

Lucky - Good luck with foster assessment thingie

Madmouse - Is Nathan 6mths today? If he is happy 6 mth birthday

Filly - good luck with the Thomas cake. Might pinch some ideas of you if that is ok. My Ds is mad for thomas too.

Hi to everyone else!!!

Hi all

Just put a shepherds pie in the oven (can't believe I just typed that but then motherhood does strange things to you...), anyway, there are three mini versions for DD to try so wish me luck and hopefully all my hard work will be better received than the fruit/veg purees which she has been singularly unimpressed with so far.

OK, just managed to get DD down for her first sleep of the day so thought I'd try with more personals so here goes...

MrsMc - I remember your legendary posts, can't believe how you do it - are you sitting there taking notes or something? Amazed it's still 42 degrees, we just got back from that and I can't say I miss it.

Simpson - re the sterilising on holiday, I bought one of those travel sterilisers for while we were away, you can get them from Blooming Marvellous I think. I guess I was a bit paranoid with the heat and everything

Lucky - good luck with the dog, did you say it's a labrador? We had one of those when I was a kid, excellent with kids but he had an awesome bark for letting people know he's there.

La Trucha - how are things going? Know what you mean about the night feeds. As of now, I'm trying to cut them out as well, in fact, as of now, I'm trying to cut out the bf all together. Wish me luck.

Madmouse - hope Nathan's feeling better. I think there's a few of us in the same boat with night feeds which makes me feel a bit better about it

Kelix and others that are giving finger foods. What are you giving? How do you get over the fear of watching little one choke? I had a scare with a biscuit and since then I've been back to purees but I know she would eat more if I was giving her lumpier stuff and finger food.

Hi to everyone else, at least its a bit cooler here today so hoping for an easier night.

RD - It is a lab we're getting and i'm hoping he's going to be like yours... I want him to be brilliant with DD but I need him to be voiceful (is that even a word) so that I don't have to worry about intruders.

Speaking of which its getting worse here now. I've just had to send some kids out of our yard as they were trying to take a TV that's been sat in there (yes it's going to the skip but get out!!)

Rockdoctor - I am giving breadsticks for DD to chomp on and she seems to handle them ok. She refuses point blank to put a rice cake in her mouth. Ds is probably going to have pizza and broccoli tomorrow for tea so might try her with some broccoli although she hated it pureed

charlie seems to like food better now its abit tastier, yesterday chicken and vegeatbles in a cream sauce. also veggies in cheese sauce. She had chicken and veg in tomato sauce which she didnt go so much on. but now dropped lunch time feed so charlie only has milk in her cereal then tea time and bed. Trying to do water at lunch but not very interested. Seems a bit constipated today doing such little poos today anyway am sure tomorrow will make up for it.

does anyone else have a dh who thinks that a routine is too regimented - i probably need to relax up a bit but we have a happy smiley content to play alone, smiley to strangers sleeping 13 hr a night for ages little girl - so I kind of think not broke dont fix it. He had her when i went to pilates got back at 12 and she had had no morning sleep and therefore fell asleep whilst i was feeding her lunch - literally spoon in mouth and fell asleep - happened again this week except i just let her sleep and she woke up screaming hungry at 1.30 having only had muesli since night before so it happened again and we have had a blazing row where he said I am like a sergeant major. So annoyed as he is such a wonderful husband and an absolutely brilliant dad really hands on. But issue is recurring not sure how to solve.

MRSMC - hi hi hi - glad all well. All great here feel really lucky _ inspite of slight rant above

Hi all

Nathan is totally better today, in fact better than he has been for a good few days. He has been smiling non stop and crawled , all be it screaming with his customary patience. He can bring his legs under him and lift up his upper body, then he drops back on his tummy, but he does move!

Still not eating much solids here. He eats it, just not a large portion.

Filly, nathan does still need his night feeds, because he is a hyperactive little boy and just does not feed enough in the day as he is so distracted. I don't expect night feeds to cease until he is eating a lot more solids and I don't mind, as long as he feeds, not just wants a dummy. Normally he does one middle of the night feed and I am fine with that.

Having fun with the antibiotics here, had to try a spoon and two different syringes, now using a small one that I can get in the back of his mouth, cos this morning he spat out the lot. Oh well, only 17 more doses to go. and it is worth it!

Ohh this morning had horrible start! After changing Xavier?s nappy I put him on our bed next to DH whilst I went to wash my hands in the bathroom. I put my long pillow (yes, I still have ?Nathan? ) by his side so he wouldn?t roll off but he always rolls towards DH anyway. Whilst I was in there I heard a thud and then screams and he must have rolled onto the long pillow and both had tumbled to the floor thankfully the pillow fell to the marble floor first and cushioned his fall. I cuddled him for ages but he cried and cried poor little mite but I couldn?t see any visible signs of injury but as I was feeding him I noticed an egg and red patch on his forehead just above his left eye. Think he hit the bed on the way down. I?ve put cold compresses on it (as much as he?d let me) and some arnica and checked all his vitals and he seems ok but he was sleepy earlier than usual but that could just because he woke up early. He?s been fine since poor little mite but there is a bruise developing. I feel so guilty!!

Thanks Luckysalem, it?s nice to be back with you all, I?ve missed you sorry to hear you are having issues with local kids.

Gingeme ? glad DS2 is on the mend new machine? and what?s this about no action? Xavier is off his milk today too, isn?t it frustrating? Still in awe of all your boys!

Justkeepswimming now I know you!!!

LaTrucha I?m wondering if there is another tooth on the way too, lots of fingers in the mouth, salivating and noise. Sorry to hear you are still having broken sleep.

Simpson ? when was your DD born? re sterilising on hols, I took a Tupperware box and some Milton tablets

Rockdoctor ? hope those pies are well received after all your work. Sorry to hear that your DD didn?t give you much Mummy time today! Re cutting out bfing, some days I am happy to move on (hate the smell of milk on me in the heat, mozzies are loving me and it is so restrictive bra and clothes wise) but other days I feel so bad for being so selfish and I want to carry on feeding DS myself and not give him a drop of formula but to be honest, I started supplementing with formula because my milk supply reduced whilst we were doing the move over here

Nicky6 ? sorry to hear about your DH issues, it is hard to accept that someone else may want to try things a different way when you know your baby and what will and won?t work, I get agitated about it too. I don?t have set times for meals or feeds, we have a rolling 3 hour schedule (based on The Baby Whisperer) so things might not happen at the same time each day but they happen in the same way. Like you, my baby is very happy and people always comment on how calm he is (not like me! )

Madmouse glad to hear Nathan is on the mend. I try to always feed DS in the same place in the house and try not to let too many of his feeds take place when we are out because distraction does mean he doesn?t feed well.

Mrs mac - Sorry to hear about Xavier's tumble (FAB name by the way!!) Hope the cold compress does the job. If this makes you feel better when Ds was about 14mths (is now nearly 3) he was still unsteady on his feet and DH was supposed to be watching him (I was at work)he tripped over DH's shoe left lying in middle of room went flying and whacked face on leg of wooden highchair Lots of blood and he lost the only tooth he had root and all!!!

My DD was born on 29th jan Good idea re milton tablets think I will buy some when in town next.

Just tried to do tesco shop online for first time and it won't take my clubcard said its already in use, how can it be Grrr....

Nicky6 don't get me started on dh and routine. I am a self admitted control freak and dh totaly takes the piss when left to do something on his own ie naps,meal times, bath times etc. Then its all down to me to put it right when it all goes tits up . Glad I got that off my chest as far as I'm concerned babys/children need some sort of routine atleast so they know whats happening next. Babys more or less fall into their own routine by 6 months anyway but it realy doesn't hurt to give them a shove in the right direction.
Not sure who asked but no I don't sterilise anything of Georges any more. Don't see the point as he seems to want to put everything in his mouth. Took the boys to the park after all this afternoon and he was actualy sucking the links on the swing.....
Oh Mrsmcjnr I know what you mean about guilt after they take a tumble. George rolled off the sofa a couple of weeks ago and I was sitting right next to him dh said he's never seen me move so fast to pick him up off the floor. But after a lot of cuddling and calming he was fine.
New machine=washing machine as for no action we won't go there
We decided to have lunch out today as a treat and 3 old ladies stopped to comment on the boys. Makes me so proud especialy when one said 'you don't look old enough dear'. Must have had bad eyes
Anyway off to bed. Just come on so feeling a bit headachey. Night all xxxxx

MrsMC - DD fell off the changing table we had to take her to the hospital as she got very dopey afterwards but as soon as we got there she started smiling. Typical.... I'd never felt sooo guilty!!!!

Nicky - I'm trying my hardest to get a routine and so far all I've managed to get is for her to sleep between 10 and 12 then 4 and 6 but this hasn't worked cos today she didn't sleep at all.
I suck at it cos I keep forgetting to "feed" her (proper food) cos we don't have proper meals its really hard. I keep thinking of putting some alarms on my phone but then stop myself for being TOO control freakish!

Only flicked through so apologies if have missed important posts (not as organised as Mrs McJ!)

Sterilising - I sterilise milk bottles if I use them. Nothing else - like Gingeme says, if they are shoving toys in their mouths (and worse) a few germs won't hurt! And I don't boil tap water for a drink, only if making a bottle - I think it was in the Sainsbo mag that I had in the post, it said about boiling water to drink until 6 mths.

Lucky - it always happens to someone - DD2 fell off bed when she was a baby - she also went headlong down the stairs when I didn't realise how fast she could crawl and stupidly left stairgate open. Probably explains why she is barking mad now...

Routine - I always thought I would go for it as I am a bit of a control freak but am also v lazy so we have the routine Amelie made up for herself. Problem with that is it also relies on watching her and "knowing" what she wants - everything happens in same order each day, but times are flexible so it makes it hard when others have her.

Lucky - it's amazing how kids can make you eat properly - particularly when they are a bit bigger, you get conscious of the example you are setting. (Biscuits don't taste as good when you are hiding behind kitchen door to eat them)

Cute pic of Amelie in the new Mamas and Papas catalogue - just side of her face, arty pic, but just as well they got the pic as she puked on the dress after they'd taken a few shots she's page 250-251 bottom right

Am keeping fingers crossed they use her in Tesco - they took pics of her and another little girl for use in store for the autumn clothing range. She's also on the M&S website and possibly in the Autumn Babies R Us brochure - she's been working hard!

Decluttering big-time here - have decided only way to keep on top of housework is to have less stuff. Have boxed up all 0-3 mths clothing to go to NCT sale in October. Have shoved a load of books in a box to read-then-get-rid. Next target is to make more space in kitchen - eg sell the juicer that was used about a dozen times max (and I didn't realise at the time that the food processor that I was saving up for had the same juicer attachment - doh!)

Still can't decide when to stop bf - like someone said, you look at them and feel guilty to stop - plus it is easy. Am on hols soon and can't be bothered with the bottle faff on an aeroplane - much easier to carry the milk on me! (Formula milk smells gopping so can't believe it tastes good, though babies don't seem to mind!) I'd like to be able to wear all my clothes - but as she doesn't have milk with lunch, even that isn't a problem as I can change out of a dress when I get home - except that a few tops are still too tight on the boobs.

AF question - to all you who are still BF - have you had a period yet? I have had Mirena coil so don't know if lack of AF is due to the BF or the coil. Knowing my luck it will be on hols...

Must get off now as DH is on a promise tonight - well we can't tomorrow as staying overnight on FIL's boat (little motor boat on Thames, we're not talking SunSeeker here!) with FIL and sharing bed with DDs 2 & 3.