May 2008 - gurgling, laughing and maybe even rolling!

[thefortbuilder]

new thread everyone!

Ooh, it's quiet around here. Hope all the holidays are lovely!

I have finally finished my essay so as long as I pass I have finished my degree! Hooray! Graduate in December. Very relieved I'm not studying full-time, finding the time to work has been an absolute nightmare!

DP and I are off to the theatre

Big news here in N.Ireland - no, it's nothing to do with the Northern Bank robbery - DS has started rolling from back to front!!! I know most of the babies on here have been rolling for ages but this is a first for my little boy. It also looks like a second tooth is coming through next to the first. And ... despite promising faithfully to hold off spoon feeds until DS was 6 months, I started spoonfeeding two Saturdays ago when he was 5 months plus a week. He has one spoon feed at lunch time of baby rice, expressed milk and stewed pear or apple. He's very good at telling me when he has had enough as he just plugs his thumb into his mouth, turns his head and won't budge!! I return to work in about 7 weeks so before then I'll have to scale down the BFing and switch over to formula. Which brand do you each use? Are there are real advantages to one brand over another? Is there anyone who maintained a morning and evening BF while using formula during the day? With DD I think I kept up the night feed but I didn't try am and pm. Any advice?

Hope you are all well. Well done baiyu on completing the coursework.

Baiyu: Well done on finishing your last essay, you must be so relieved. Hope you and DP enjoyed your night.

Mocat Well done with rolling. I have given all 3 of mine SMA when I started formula.

NSSA Hope you get some nice photos next week at swimming

Magicfairy Hope DS is feeling better

Mumofkandj Hope you enjoyed your party Monkeysmama You will be fine to take DD swimming.

Mocat - I also use SMA for DS. I have been told by my HV that there is a slightly greater risk of constipation with SMA (though this was the same HV to told me to start weaning if DS weighed more than 16lbs at 16weeks!!! ) - I've never had any problems with that, though I do offer DS water in the evening.

Baiyu Congratulations! It will be worth it when you are getting all glammed up for your graduation!!! Are you going to go back to work now or take a little time off with your DS?

Ahh, DS has just opened his eyes (He is still in a cot long side my bed ) and given me the BIGGEST smile.

Well done Baiyu!

DS is another one not sleeping too well at the moment - one night ok just 2 big feeds between 7pm and 6am and the next fine for the first 5 hours then every hour and a half through 12 to 6. Hope this growth spurt or whatever finishes soon for all our sakes! DS shows no signs of rolling himself unless lying on our tummies but he is starting to enjoy his own tummy time. He also has his first cold so feeling v sorry for himself and snuffly. He's another one who is scratching/pulling at my face and hair and although he doesn't pull hard I'm losing so much hair anyway that there's masses of it coming out in his little fist.

NSSA - i love it when they do that! DS lies alongside my side of the bed in his cot and it is magic when we wake up to look in each others' eyes and smile - he has started to reach out his hand through the bars to touch mine too. v cute.

Hi all,

Back from hols. It was very nice....not really much of a holiday with 2 little ones, but a nice break from routine. We had been working our arses off decorating before we went, up til gone midnight 6 nights in a row . I asked DH on hols if he was feeling refreshed (he still looked knackered and kept yawning) and he said "I don't think you ever don't feel tired with kids". Hmmm. Sad but probably true.

We had 2 days of fabulous weather when we went out on day trips. We took DD1 to a massive soft play place that had the biggest slides which were for over 4 yr olds, and she was going down on her own!!! (very excited until she bumped her head!!).

formula I always used SMA with DD1. We now use Aptamil with DD2, for 2 reasons, the first being that a friend said her breast feeding counsellor at work said it's apparently the best one (it's certainly the most expensive ) but also because it has a handy little device built in to the container which means you don't have to use a knife to level off the spoon of formula......how lazy am I???!!!
TBH, I think they are all much of a muchness.

swimming I never took DD1 to structured lessons, partly cos of cost, but mainly cos I work different days each week so I couldn't really commit to a specific day.
I started taking her swimming when she was 4 months old, and have done the same now with DD2. I dunked them both under water straight away, and did lots od splashing in the face, and supported swimming , didn't use floats til she was over a year old. I think a lot of it is about confidence in water. I did buy a book which helped and gave me confidence to do these things.
I didn't learn to swim til I was 28 but was always confident in water (I could dive, do handstnads, somersaults in water etc etc....strange I know!)
My neighbour is the swimming coach at my local pool and he said if you can just get them confident in water that's the main thing at this age. The parent needs to be confident to then pass this on to the baby/child.

DD1 is very happy in water. She swims about now with armbands, jumps in, isn't bothered at all going under water.

So really, if you feel confident to take them on your own (Monkeysmama) then I say, go for it!

Right, I am cream crackered! Been really busy all day, still trying to sort out the girls new room. They are sleeping in it for the first time tonight. So far so good.

Also, dare I mention 'the book' again but I finished reading it on holiday, and it really is brilliant. I know some of you said you don't like parenting manuals and prefer to follow your instinct etc but I cannot tell you how good this book is, it makes such sense to me. As you know, my DD1 is a great sleeper (2.5 yrs now) and having read this book, I can see why, from my selfish attitude when she was a baby and letting her cry it out!!!! To any of you having sleep problems with your little ones, please please consider giving it a go, I really think it could help some of you. And there's even a section on 'but what if I don't want to leave my baby to cry?'.

Anyway, DH is at work all night, so I think I'll crack open a bottle of Wolfblass.....MMMMmmmmm!

LM xxx

I suppose I should update you on DD2 as this thread is cos I had her!!

Now 5 and a half months. Smiling lots (must try S'express!!) and giggling, esp when her big sis sings to her and plays with her.

Sleeps on her tummy constantly. Rolling all over the place and will get herself across a room by rolling .

Still no teeth, but chomping on everything in sight.

Loving her baby einstein DVDs (25 mins peace for me!!).

No food yet, she's sleeping 12 hrs at night so I'm guessing she's not that hungry. Planning to start at 26 weeks.

Haha! LM - that made me laugh! (abotu the DVD!) DS is SUCH a monkey for watching the TV (just like my DSD2!!!!)

He is watching X factor at the moment!!!

ANd, not at all lazy for using the Aptimil formula - I use the RFU SMA stuff... Now THAT is lazy hahaha!

Better go, I am only supposed to be checking my Ebay auctions quickly. Am having a big clear out, as DH is a bit sick of all my crap stuff!!

Hello all.
Boring day here..it's a bank holiday in Spain so everything is closed and it's raining. So pretty much stuck indoors...thank God for MN.
Went back to work the other week (2 days) and it's fine. So nice not to have to go everyday.
Well done Baiyu on finishing the degree. What do you think you'll do ultimately..SAHM or back to work...what would you work in, something with Chinese? (did you study Chinese, or have I got that completely wrong?)
I'd love to take DS swimming but there are no classes til 1 year old. He tries to swim in the bath so I think he'd like it.

Big news here too....DD2 can sit up on her own!!! She managed about 2 mins before falling over (enough time for me to grab my phone and take a photo and send it to DH!).

I am so pleased as hopefully this will be the end to some of her frustration. I certainly remember with DD1 things getting a LOT easier at 6 months when she started to sit etc.

DS2 has also started sitting and he was 5 months yesterday. They grow so quickly.
School holidays started on friday so am busy at home with DC, 2 of them sleeping so getting a break. Going to be a long week as DH going to Trinidad for a week with work and my parents are away.

No real sitting here. Well, sort of. He sits gripping his toes for about 10 sec before he falls over, but I'm not sure it counts as he's practically bent double anyway!

Wow! A big congratulations to those babies sitting up. DS is nearly there... He sits himself up but then wobbles and falls over a again!!! He is also trying to crawl, but only manages to go in circles (a bit like a defective trolley! ) which frustrates him massively.

One of these days, he's going to figure it out and then my days of relaxation and peace will be over!!

Does anyone else feel a bit 'mummed' out at times?

I'm feeling really fed up today and for the most stupid reason ever - I went to Tesco and, as DS was asleep, stopped to look at the magazines (I used to read SO MANY magazines, but don't bother even buying them now as I never get a chance to read them) and Jordan and Peter Andre have split up... OK, I know it's daft, but what planet am I living on that I don't have a clue what's happening with the slebs... I don't really do anything other than look after DS and make sure he's happy, sort the dog out and make sure he is getting enough exercise and make sure that the house is sorted... I've stopped wearing make up as I haven't got time to put it on and I haen't even thought about a 'winter wardrobe'.. What happened to me?? Or is it just natural that you stop being an individual person when you become a mum?

And, there are a group of ladies I've met here, and we all get on quite well, and one of them has suggested signing up for an evening class... But, of course, I have ZERO cover for DS, so it's a non starter for me... I don't really feel ready to leave him with a stranger...

I'm just feeling fed up with never getting a break.

Still, am going to go to the Baby Show this week (courtesy of Flick - THANKYOU!!) so that will be a good day out!!

Hope you are all well and sorry for the rant.

NSSA sorry you are feeling like this. I promise you it gets easier. As DS gets bigger he will start giving u more time for yourself.It is never like before prechildren time. But time to read a magazine.

You are in worse situation coz of DH and don't get a break in the evening
I am sure you will enjoy the babyshow, don't buy everything

NSSA hiya, I'm sorry to hear how you are feeling, but I do know exactly where you are coming from. I feel like you have explained most of the time (and I have a DH who is around a lot more than your DH can be, and I get to go out every now and then on my own ).

I think that's why I thought I had PND cos I just get so fed up with the whole 'groundhog' day of it all. I was talking to a friend who also has 2 kids same age as mine, and she is also a physio, and she feels exaclty the same. We were saying how we just count down the hours til we can put them to bed! Then we feel guilty!

I love my girls to bits, really I do, but I find it incredibly hard and, dare I say it, boring, sometimes. My DH is so wonderful, I regularly go out with my friends or my sister (well, once or twice a month, which is more than most!). I then feel guilty for feeling like this as everyone keeps saying 'ooo, they're not babies for long!'.

I'm having big debates with myself as to when to return to work. I know I don't want any more kids and this is my last chance of a break from work, BUT when I returned after DD1, she was 8 months old, and it seemed an ideal time to leave her with the CM, and I really enjoyed being back at work and the break from being with child/children.

However, just before I went on mat leave in March, I was at an all time low stress-wise at work. It was affecting my sleep etc. Because I am fairly senior at work, I am expected to do a lot of mentoring and training, which involves a lot of doing work at home, preparing presentations etc. I just don't feel at the mo that I've got the time or the energy to do that. It's all I can do to get from one day to the next looking after the girls and keeping up to date with the housework!

So, you see my dilemma? I stop getting paid at Christmas. I may take Jan off as AL then go back mid feb. I just don't want to regret going back too soon???

So yes NSSA, I do feel mummed out, that's a good way to describe it!
It does get easier, I promise. Even in the last 2 weeks DD2 seems to be getting easier, more settled in the day and more interactive and into her toys.

Poor DH not getting much attention from me either as by the evening, I am so 'cuddled out' and sick of people (children) climbing all over me, I just want to be left alone!!!

Anyway, I'd better go as I'm taking DD1 to a soft play place.

Hi LM, glad u had a nice hol, at the sitting, A still a lazy lump and not even rolling v often. Think she takes after her dad . Will ring u over the next few days.
C
xx

Good evening ladies

Finally found the time to read through all the posts.

NSSA I know exactly what you mean. I love being a mum and am really enjoying my daughter but I too have moments when I wonder if this is going to be my life forever now - washing, hanging out washing to dry, tidying toys, trying to look half presentable, feeding dd, moving piles of baby ironing around the house, playing, feeling tired. I decided about 6 weeks ago to try and do one "me" thing a week. Dp's working hours are getting longer & longer so while I am not on my own I hardly get anytime without dd. So over the past 6 weeks dd & I have been to an art gallery or museum (all free!) at least twice a week and have been to the baby friendly cinema screenings every week. We dance every day to a CD of my choice and the difference these things have made to how I feel about me is massive. The hardest thing for me is the lack of sleep which I am finding painful. Anyway - you're not alone! This mummy malarky is hard slog!

I have decided not to go back to work next month (my 6 month maternity leave & annual leave is up in mid November) and instead to take another 6 months off until May next year. I am meeting my line manager tomorrow to discuss it with him though I am nervous because I should've written to them 2.5 weeks ago but didn't realise until this evening that I'd missed the deadline. Hopefully it'll be okay. The money side is a killer. I've gone from a very good salary to statutory maternity pay and I don't like it. Until I started my current job 6 years ago I'd never had any money but it is very funny how easy it is to get used to having it. I hope it is as easy getting used to not having any again.

Dd is still waking up 4 times (or more) a night for food and am thinking of starting her on some baby rice this week. I did want to hold out until 6 months (she is 5 months today) but I am now not quite sure why the 6 month mark is so important to me?

LM - made me smile aout your holiday. I felt the same when we came home from our summer hols. Think you're dp is right.

Baiyu - well done on finishing your degree. I remember that feeling - it is a good one & you deserve to enjoy every second if it.

MM

We just had our first back to front roll, yay!

monkeysmama baby ironing?? wow! I'm in awe...

I totally know the feeling, mummed out is a good way to describe it. Sitting here covered in sick in my pjs and DP's jumper - all mine are covered in sick and in the wash. not very glam.

Not sure what i'm going to do next now that the degree is over. It's a bit difficult cos obviously i don't have a job to go back to (hence the no mat leave or money) and i'd imagine many bosses don't want to take on people who want part/flexi time work and have no qualifications... We'll see. DP ia at the stage of applying for lots of jobs so i think I'll wait and see at least where we'll be before making any big decisions. Could be still in Edinburgh. Could be London, China... who knows!

Thanks for all the degree finishing congratulations, it does feel good! I graduate in December. {smile]

Hey! Thanks for the replies... I have been feeling a bit about feeling like that, as I just adore DS SOOO much, but it's nice to know that it's pretty much a normal feeling... You are right, MM, the mummy malarky IS hard work, but I feel so much better having actually said it!!

Am with Baiyu on the ironing!! We don't DO baby ironing! - Wel maybe his day clothes, but not vests or baby grows, they just get folded and put away!

MM Hope your meeting goes OK today.

LM I have been thinking a lot about work recently, it's a big decision isn't it? I gave up completely when DS arrived and I don't need to go back (though MM couldn't agree more that the lack of money is a stinker.. I have worked constantly since leaving uni, and I find the concept of not having 'my' money extremely difficult.. DH is quite likely to say 'we don't need this or that' and I know he's right, but I still feel like I'm spending his money, rather than my own! Silly, but true!), can you go back part time or with less responsibilities? I think perhaps best to err on the side of caution - better to look back and think 'I could have gone back earlier' rather than thinking 'I wish I'd taken longer off'

Also, LM - I must thank you for telling me about Freecycle - It's so great!!!

Flick - LOADS of good wishes for the baby show!!! I hope it goes brilliantly

Well, must go - DS is asleep but I have a house to hoover and get ready for our signing class!!

NSSA xx

NSSA Glad you are feeling a bit better for having 'offloaded' on here. I think it's great that we all talk and realise we are not alone in what we feel.

As I said, it does get better. Yesterday when I took DD1 to playzone, I left DD2 at home with DH and it was so liberating just taking my handbag out, and NO CHANGEBAG! Obv DD1 is toilet trained so all I took was her drinks cup in my bag.

I don't iron baby clothes, only outerwear if it needs it. Far too much to do!

Does anyone know about selling stuff on MN? Do you have to pay if it's a one off item?

I want to sell my nursery bedding set, just thought I'd have a more captive audience on here than ebay?

LM74 I've not sold anything but I've bought loads on MN. I think all you have to do is have an active CAT subscription then you can post. That's all you pay. Most people use paypal or cheque to pay. I've never had a problem.

Made me smile about baby ironing. I don't iron anything being a firm believer in lycra and creases dropping out. BUT mil and dp think dd's stuff must be done so they do it. I just move piles of it around the house!

Work meeting went well. Will go back in May next year part time. LM hope you can find a happy solution.

NSSA I'm so with you on the money point. I am finding asking dp for money so uncomfortable.

Oo-just seen the clock! Best get some sleep while I can.

Good luck with the show Flick! I LOVE the booties.

MM

Flick can you post the link to your website again please....I might have to check out these booties!

Hi all

NSSA I don't know how you do it with your DH away all week, I really don't! I know what you mean about mummed out. I feel like shit at the moment. I've got a terrible cold which DS has caught, poor little bugger and work I'm finding knackering, even only 2 days a week. Got a terrible headache I can't shift.
Going to try to have a lie down this afternoon.