December 07 - I'm still standing, yeah, yeah, no!

[Wizzska]

Hello people, is anyone there?

Hi everyone. Thanks for messages. Again, I have skimmed the last few days but finding it hard to keep up. Anyway, will give you our latest installment and news of the LO's etc, for what it's worth...

We are finally starting to find our feet a bit. Our ayah/cleaner started today, so that's a great help. I was really struggling to get anything done as all the floors are marble and I can't leave Marth for more than a few minutes for fear that she'll pull herself up on some piece of furniture and then fall back and whack her head! Anyway, the "helper" was able to play with her for a while this morning while I made up a whole load of pureeed veg for her (it's interesting using all sorts of new foods - today she is getting a mix of onion, carrot, some sort of squash, something that is apparently courgette but is a lot paler and okra!).

The weather has cooled down slightly, it was about 30 degrees this morning so I took the dd's to the playpark. Unfortunately it is still about 90 per cent humidity so we only lasted about half an hour but it was nice to be out!

I have been ill with bronchitis which hasn't helped. I went to the clinic here and the nurse told me to go and rest, yeah right! Tell me all of you with two children (or more!) - when do you ever get a rest??? Obviously now I have my Ayah life will get easier but I can't just dump the kids on her on day one....

Martha is doing really well, she seems to have settled into her new life very easily and is sleeping better than she used to in the UK - last night she only woke the once, which is great and she is sleeping slightly later in the morning too - usually until about 6.30am. She is also now "vocalising" at last, only one word - ga, with variations of gaga, aga, giga etc - but it's better than she was! She is almost saying dada too, but at the moment everything and everyone is gaga.

Emma, dd1, not doing so well - she is having loads of tantrums, whether because of the move or because she is more jealous of dd2 now she has reached an age where she needs more attention from us, I'm not sure. Skid, Loucee etc with two of around this age gap, are you getting more tantrums now?

Anyway I can't think of much else to say. I am getting a night out tonight at one of the only local restaurants we are allowed to visit (at one of the two big hotels here), while dh babysits, so that's exciting. Hope everyone is enjoying the British summer!

Great to hear from you Claraq, sorry you've been poorly, but glad you are settling in.
I think it's great that your dds will have a chance to try lots of different foods!
Hope you have a great night out!

He was indeed a page boy on that pic BT, DH's Dad was Scottish and he's very proud of that so he and the boys had kilts when we got married! I was up in the night too last night, it rained so hard here that Evie woke up, she cried a little and I shush-patted her but she just lay there all wide eyed so I gave in and picked her up for a cuddle! She snuggled into me but stayed awake until the rain stopped bless her . I love that trike you got for DS, they are great and very multi-functional! Babies do tend to go backwards before they go forwards, Evie usually ends up doing that too!

Lovely to hear from you Clara, sorry to hear you've not been well, hopefully now you have a bit of help you will be able to rest up a bit. Glad that DD2 is settling in so well although yikes at the marble floors! DD1 is probably tantruming due to a mixture of everything - the move, her sister and just being a toddler, I guess being older she takes a little longer to adjust? Anyway, hope you feel better soon and that you have a fab night out tonight!

Hi clara - good to hear from you - gosh it sounds a bit hard-goig atm but I suppose that is absolutely to be expected and ti is still early days. it must be really difficult not being able to go out very much because of the heat - that would send me spiralling towards insanity pretty quickly.

And being ill as well, you poor thing. Is you DH around a lot or is he having to work long hours? Have you met anyone else to hang around with, especially other mothers? I think you did know someone out there already, didn;t you?

Re toddler tantrums - I would imagine it is mostly due to the move - it must be really hard for her to suddenly be in a completely different place and not really understanding why. Not much help but I imagine it will just get better very slowly as she makes friends and things become more familiar to her. I think you just have a bit of a slog ahead of you but I'm sure everything will be great in few month's time - hope that doesn't seem like an eternity! Enjoy your evening out

well done to your shuffling and clapping DS BT! Very impressive

fifi ? yes my DS has gone right off solids again recently ? I never thought of the heat as a reason but that makes perfect sense.

Beckle ? what a nightmare with Evie refusing the bottle ? no advice I?m afraid but lots of sympathy! Hopefully she will get good at using a cup soon so it doesn?t take forever

Clairey and BT ? I?m sure your boobs would swell up if you ever had the chance to go for 12 hours or so without a feed: I got up in the morning when I was away having not expressed all night and I filled TWO 9oz bottles to the top Had to stop halfway though and empty one down the sink and then carry on ? such a waste of my precious BM. Milo barely noticed I was gone as well - ungrateful little bugger

Clairey ? has your landlord found tenants for your flat ? are you moving to the big huge house with the conservatory? [envy}

Skid you are probably right, my breastmilk production must mostly be at night what with ds' frequent wakings!

We've had a couple of viewings and one lady really liked it so was going to apply. Two problems though, she has cats and the landlord would prefer no pets, and also she can only pay a holding deposit at the moment because her ex is buying her out of their house and hasn't got his mortgage sorted yet so she is still paying her half of the mortgage and so can't pay rent on top
It's quite tiring having to keep the house in viewable condition too!

Clara hope you get a chance to rest soon, poor you moving when already poorly . Eek at the marble floors-take it you'll be investing in a padded playpen! RE tantrums, dd is quite a bit younger than your dd1 but she has started to have quite a few-I think it is because ds is crawling and cruising etc and invading her space/toys. With your dd I am sure a lot is down to the change but she should adapt pretty soon.

BT my maiden name began with B, claireybee is my nickname since forever!

Beckle at the ocado vouchers-I entered that one but you stole my prize

Fifi and everyone else ds has also been eating less recently, although dh gave them breakfast this morning and he ate almost a whole weetabix!

hands free parenting!

hi all!

claireybee that is FAB!! Your dcs are lovely! What a gorgeous family. I've been meaning to say this for ages actually and I hope it doesn't come over all weirdy, but I always really admire how laid back and really child focused you sound in your posts! Inspiration for us 1st timers!

I am scared to join the MN facebook group......

meant to be working while DH has Dd...once again it took him about 30 secs to pack her off for a nap and she's been sleeping for over an hour...this NEVER happens for me...grrr

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

my period came back

sorryi know some of you have had them back for ages, but i was getting used to this!!

Caz about your period. We have our very own Dec 07 group on facebook so you and everyone else can come and join us!!!

Its really quiet on here at the weekend!!
I think Ethan might have thrush in his mouth, which might explain why he hasnt been eating although he's just had a bowl of weetabix and banana and has been bathed and is down for the night. Last night it took 2 hours to settle him which was typical when we had people round for drinks and a wii night!!
Ds1 is staying at sil's tonight, he's been away since about 2pm and i feel very and can't wait to get him back tomorrow.
Oh and this time in 4 weeks i will just be landing in the Dominican Republic for my 2 week holiday

BT Hope you've had a nice weekend away

hello all
Been a bit frantic getting everything ready for hols. May have fibroids so am having a scan when I get back: apparently my cervix is very enlarged. I hope it doesn't stop me from having another baby.
Hope you are all well x

Hello girls sorry I have not posted for ages and this thread moves so fast I have missed loads!

DD is thriving and has taken to solids really really well. Infact, even food with bits in she is happily gumming away at it and hardly any being spat out. We

We have been out for a country walk today, followed by brunch in a restaurant. DD behaved admirably and not a peep out of her whilst she fed herself her milk and then gobbled down all her solid food. She was sick on her socks though (she likes chewing them and was sick on them)

She is also back to waking 6.20am ish and we have brought the dream feed back again to it's 1020pm ish, so I get to bed at a decent time, can read a few chapters of my book, and then cuddle up to DH for a snoozefest.

Oh and I am late for my period and am terrified that I am pregnant - have resisted doing a test. But, now I am not in the pil it is harder to plot when it arrives since with the pil it is 'take last pil, get period the day after'. Anyway, I have never been good with the dates and should really stary putting them in my diary but have not yet. [hopeful emoticon that I have my dates messed up and not pregnant]

DD still just sitting and lots of leaning and stretching forward, we have had to drop the cot down because I have came in a few times to find her on her tummy and the mattress is a really thick sprung one, so seems best to air on side of caution and drop it.

Hope you are feeling better claraq and suey sending good vibes your way for the scan.

Night all!

Caz - the old red menace is a right bummer isn't it. I got mine back last month, it was a very unwelcome surprise as still bf.

Suey, hope your scan turns out ok.

Jewels - it could easily just be a bit irregular. Hope it comes soon. I wouldn't mind being pg actually, as ds is so lovely at the moment.

Got the DH's brother and family staying this weekend. 3 of us and 5 of them in a small 2 bed flat - v. cosy!

Hi everyone!
Got back from Scotland this afternoon, we had a great time except that the breakfast yesterday morning was a big disappointed, and then everywhere was full when we tried to get some dinner - luckily found a chippy with tables and ate there!
Trip wasn't too bad, DS a bit fractious some of the time but overall he was pretty good. It helped that we were sat at a table, there were myself, DH, DS and DSS so one spare seat which no-one wanted, so we were able to lay DS there when he was asleep, and sat him there to play for a bit as well! He ate loads as well, Organix carrot sticks and rice cakes, melon, pineapple, dried apple, and biscuits on the train and weetabix for breakfast!
He hardly napped at all on Friday and went to be bed quite late, but slept well, only waking up twice (though he woke upa t 5am wanting to play and wouldn't settle!). On Saturday he had lots of naps, we took him swimming and then I took him to a soft play to crawl around (he is backwards crawling now!) and that tired him out enough that we both had a 2hr+ nap in the room in the afternoon while DH took DSS to an outdoor play area! Again not a bad night, only he wok e up at 5.30 playing quietly in his cot, and so I put him in the bed with me and DH and we both fell asleep until gone 7am

Wizz - Hope your ils aren't driving you up the wall! Are you planning to take them out lots!

Jewels - I think you should do a test if only so that you no either way - fingers crossed! My DS is obssessed with pulling his socks off ant eating them lo

Suey - oh dear that sounds worrying! I hope you will still enjoy your holiday, though.

Fifi - I was wondering what your countdown was! Are you taking Ethan to the docs tomorrow?

Caz - poor you and period, 1st one can be a bit of a doozy though!

Clairey - that photo is fab, your dcs looks so relaxed there!

BT Yeah going to ring them 1st thing

oops posted before i finished...your holiday sounded lovely

jewels Ethans a sock chewer too!!

Popping in for a late night wave to you all before a decent catch up this week.

We go to Tenerife on Friday for a week and the Monday after I'll be back at work so hopefully I'll still be able to catch up etc.

Anyone on facebook, join the Dec 07group. I've made it admin accept only to add more privacy to our LOs pics. Though I might have to change my pics for some which make me look decent (if there are such a thing!)

Yeah I saw that Ambi - good idea! On my Facebook my photos can only be seen by Friends.

very very at all this holiday talk - DH and I have never been on a proper holiday together as we've always been too skint. have a lovely time all of you

clairey - brill picture! They look like they weigh nothing at all although I'm sure it doen;t feel like that. Wierd seeing what you look like - for some reason I imagined you as a redhead!

sympathies on arrival of period Caz - still haven't got mine and am very grateful! Although doesn't getting your period back while still BF mean you're really fertile or something?

fifi - did you go to the doctors? Hope Ethan is OK

Something awful happened here last week - a little girl (14 months) that goes to the creche at the gym I take my DCs to was killed by the glass falling out of a patio door - I heard about it and thought how sad, and then it slowly began to dawn on me that i actually knew the little girl. I can't even imagine what her poor parents are feeling. Can't stop thinking about it . It's strange how much it brings it home to you when you know the person. Makes me want to wrap my DCs in my arms and never let them go. That poor poor mother. Wish there was something I could do. I don't think there is anything worse in this world than losing a child

sorry, very depressing I know

Oh Skid that is so
That poor mother. Do you know where she lives? Could you send her a sympathy card?

Skid I heard about that, its awful and so It does make you want to hold your dc's and keep them safe

Ethans fine, he's been given Nystatin drops which will hopefully clear it up.

That's good news, Fifi!!

Daniel will be having is 6-9 mo check on Thurs, bumped into my HV on the way out from the bfing group and asked her when they do and she said at 9mo, but I said I'd be back at work then, so she kindly agreed to do it this week.

Oops pressed Enter too soon!

I'm also going to get a visit from the Home Safety officer to get help with baby proofing the home, and I'll be getting some safety equipment, fire guard, stair gates and other bits and pieces as well. I get the whole lot for £5!!!! It's all brand new stuff, you just return it when you no longer need it and it'll just get returned to the company that Surestart get it from, they get some money back and the equipment gets recycled! I had heard about the scheme but presumed it was for low income families but apparently it isn't! It is a one time deal though, so if you move house you can't reapply for equipment for your new house and all of the stuff has to be fixed - no pressure fixed gates or fire guards.

BT I got that with ds1, i think its available for everyone coz when the hv told me about it i'd said that i wasnt on benefits or anything and she said it didnt matter!!
We got 2 stair gates, had everything else already, had 2 wait about 6 weeks 2 get them fitted though.
HV usually goes through it at 6-9 month check

Hello

Just a quick msg as dh is upstairs feeding dd.

Suey - good luck for your scan. I hope you still enjoy your hols.

Skid - that is so sad about that little girl. It makes me feel like crying when I hear stories like that.

Caz - just to warn you, my first period was very strange. I had it on and off for around 4 weeks . Maybe I'm strange but I was quite glad to get back to normal. I'm back on the pill and so feel in control of my body again which is good as the idea of an accidental pregnancy horrifies me! I'm still at the 'never again' stage!!

Hello everyone, I love reading all your messages, it makes me feel like I am still part of a community as it's so wierd being somewhere totally new and having to be happy and polite to everyone you meet!! We are starting to settle in but it is very hard at the moment - basically it's either too hot or raining too much to go out, there isn't really anywhere to go anyway, most of the families with children dd1's age are away on leave, and our stuff (including toys etc) won't arrive for probably another couple of weeks.

On the plus side I do now have full-time "help". It is a bit wierd handing your baby over to someone else but it does mean I can actually do things like cook (without dd2 climbing up my leg...) and also have some proper one-on-one time with dd1. I hope I am never one of those women you see here though who just hand their babies over to their Ayahs. Ok I understand if you work but I have spent time with some mums who just sit there while the ayah plays with the baby, holds it etc. Wierd!

Oh here is some interesting information I found out today. Apparently here in Pakistan most women breastfeed until their children are two. I told my ayah that in the UK some people don't start and many people give up after a few months and she was really confused as to why! I guess we can afford formula and we have decent water to use. It is all food for thought.

Claireyb, what a great pic! Unlike Skid I have always pictured you as a blond! not sure why.

Oh, Facebook: I have a Facebook account but couldn't see the Dec 07 group. Do I have to join the Mumsnet group first???

Well it is my 40th birthday tomorrow. I am a bit down about it. Not so much about turning 40 (I have accepted the inevitable!) but about being so far from my family and close friends. We are having some people round tomorrow night that I have met here, but it isn't the same. Never mind. Hopefully next time I post I will be feeling a little more upbeat.....