Feb 08 - Never mind my wrinkly tum, look what's come out of my baby's bum!

[Gill79]

done it

[princessllama]

merlypuss will check out primark.

[tyaca]

oooh, i have internet back! hurrah! and i fixed it myself. no gingermumi style trips to the local deli to ask for olives and some techinical assistance...

slacker i would love a trip to bicester village. i spend my life ebaying petite bateau. cant see me escaping from there without denting my visa card . funny to hear you commenting on boys clothes. i always look at it enviously as i survey the pinkarama available for girls. zara baby is my suggestion FWIW.

egg - how was your dinner out?? i think dh is finally coming round to the idea that one day we too may leave the house together without dd.

count - argh! the footie! and leesmum that must make you happy too? it means the end of summer i always think, not that it makes ant difference this rainy year. i 'd bet a year of dd's child support that the first week kids (and dh) go back to school it'll be proper warm!

princess ROFL at dd's toilet training. yup, that could seem ever so slightly weird to a childless eye. but WHAT great friends to come round and cook. . £110 a week plus food and boars sounds v generous. a generous au pair's rate for less work by the sounds of it. good luck . will you have to retrain if you're going back to work in jan? i seem to remember you mentioning that might be the case if you were off for more than six months???

sarah - vwd on the weight! and the cooking. i too made soup (inc using homemade stock [proud]) the other day and was inordinatley impressed with myself.

bean - hope your family are doing as ok as can be expected. so horrible to have a funeral for someone so young.

dh has finally come round to the idea of weaning dd. i mistakenly told him about the 6 month guidelines and he has refused to budge. she's now 23 weeks (i think) but been getting v hungry between feeds so he has grudgingly conceded that we could give her a bit of food. she stuck her hand in my soup the other day and he glared at me as i left it to the very last moment before she stuck it in her gob before i wiped it off. no BLW here then .... . his objection to the soup BTW was not that it had copious amounts of cream in it, or indeed that she - underage - but that the soup was " v garlicy" lol lol

oh, and (this one's for you rozzy)... i have entered a half marathon. this is clearly madness. i was even sober when i did it. it is in 13 weeks. i hadnt run for eight weeks and had never run outside at all til last saturday. then i managed ... wait for it.... 1 minute and 42 second before being doubled up in agony. all my hard work of months ago has vanished and i am starting from scratch.

[Gill79]

half marathon!How exciting. Where is it? Please keep us informed with your progress. My knees are shot at the moment so I would love to experience this vicariously through you (the glory and achievement and weight loss and not the pain)

I don't really mind football but for some reason the return of it really depressed me last week - I think it's cause it's so all-pervasive.

I had a dream last night that I hosted a Febbers' meet-up at my house. I cooked a roast chicken and bought champagne but I was really unorganised and everyone turned up earlier than expected, I forgot to put the oven on, I just couldn't get the champagne glasses out of the cupboard, I forgot to chill the champagne and then it turned into pear cider! Everyone arrived and then went out again for hours and came back with kebabs

Did anyone watch The Perfect Vagina last night? It was very . Taking plaster casts of fanjos and eveb better this woman who ran these love your fanjo classes where women sit around exposing their bits to the room while they talk about their emotional problems. And then they look at their own with a mirror while the rest of the class crowd around being sisterly and supportive saying "aaaahhhh. You have a beautiful vagina".

Anyway. Dentist today first time in four years

[beansprout]

At least it was not a dream about a Feb meet up with us all taking plaster casts of our fanjos. Yeesh.

[rozzyraspberry]

Well done on the weight loss Sarah!

We're off out for a pizza for lunch today because (another excuse!) school is back here tomorrow. Ds1 is still excited about starting school but a little nervous too I think as he's been especially cuddly over the last week and ended up in my bed from 4am last night (which he never normally does). Have heard that there's likely to be a janitors strike on Wednesday so the schools would be closed the day after starting back - not great for getting all the lo's settled into school/preschool!

Tyaca - I ran 9 miles on my treadmill last night and dh is now trying to persuade me to do a half marathon in October. A few of his work mates are doing it for ms as one of the guys on his old shift has had to take early retirement as he has ms (is only early 30's and is already on crutches).

Princess - that sounds fair for the nannying as it doesn't sound like she'll be doing long hours and is getting board - I'm sure it'll work out fine.

I second merlypuss's suggestions on asda and primark for boys clothes - my older 2 trash their clothes so quickly so I go for the cheap and replace more frequently option!

Good luck at the dentists Gill!

[beansprout]

Photos now added!!

Good luck at the dentist Gill!

[sallyforth]

Well hello everyone I have been on holiday but now am Back. Hurrah. Feel v relaxed and happy. DH by contrast is a wreck b/c he had to do a fair amount of childcare!!! My diet took something of a back seat (ie I completely pigged out) and I failed to do any exercise at all so I don't dare to weigh myself today.

Am proud to report that LO is now commando crawling! He can go quite quickly now. Especially when I am not looking He still can't sit up though, partly b/c he is not inclined to practise when he can just fall over forwards and go crawling instead! Have been panickedly researching play pens or I will never be able to go to the loo again!

... which reminds me I luaghed a lot just now reading princess's story of her dd's dolly's potty training escapades! ...

and now the obligatory poo update - we have started weaning and the poos have become very unpredictable. All colours of the rainbow (nearly ) and varying in quantity from skid marks to nappy-busting explosions! Also now DS gets v upset sometimes and I don't know if it's constipation or teething or wind or what. Babies eh. They are a law unto themselves.

[Gill79]

DS2 always has such a cheeky expression doesn't he Bean?

Glad you had a good holiday Sally. My DP finds looking after DS harder too - but then I guess we've just got more practice!

[gingermumi]

Hiya,

we seem to be back on line at last! Started to watch fanjo prog but i found it a bit upsetting, only watched the first 10 mins or so and felt so sorry for that poor young girl i turned over. Dh was also cringing in corner making puking noises! he made a good point though, rather like presenters partner, he had never seen one he didn't like or even noticed the differences. Society has a lot to answer for when women feel so pressured about something so personal. Must say it's not something i've ever thought about (ihave enough hang ups to last a life time withourt worrying about what my fanjulie looks like!).

DD2 is coming over soon so had better go an hoover before she thinks her mother has returned to her sluttish ways!

[Egg]

Bean love those pics. So very cute. Is the pic of DN on their your brother's little girl? She is so pretty.

Sally glad you had a great hols. My DH too is always more tired after weekends and time off than when he goes to work.

Tyaca and Ginger, good to have you back online.

Sally impressed with commando crawling. DS2 motors about the room now by using a combination of SAS rolling and spinning himself breakdancing style on his tummy 360 degrees so he is pointing the way he wants to be. DD just lies there and puts her face in the carpet...

Tyaca am v impressed at half marathon. I cannot run to save my life. Am crap.

Sarah well done on weight loss. Always once you lose a few lbs it spurs you on. For some reason did not realise your hols are so soon, no idea why but had NOVEMBER in my head.

Gill I would have drunk the pear cider anyway . Am not fussy. Strange how quite a few of us have had Febbers dreams!

Princess I agree your old nanny sounds a bit useless. Yes it is hard looking after 2 children but for a nanny it is not surely acceptable as that is what they are there for... Can't imagine how hard bedtime is for you. I struggle but at least I just chuck the babies into bed once they have had their milk and then head off for QT with DS1, must be so hard with little Ferdie needing some extra love and comfort. Is he seeming more settled now he has been home for a while? I think if one of mine had been through what he did I would sit up and cuddle them all night if I had to (and I am hard as nails don't forget...).

I missed the Fanjo prog. DH would never have let me watch it while he was here anyway.

[Gill79]

You're right Ginger - it was a big shame for that girl although WHY do people with such embarrassing problems decide to appear on national TV with them? Maybe Channel 4 paid for the operation . DP ran from the room in horror.

It went ok at the dentist - just one little filling at the back which didn't need anaesthetic - not bad after four years of neglect! DS got quite upset though watching me on my back getting attacked by the dentist and nurse!

Rozzy how was the first day of school? (Is that DS1 just starting school for the first time?)

[rozzyraspberry]

Yes Gill Ds1 just started primary one today!! He was really excited - was saying 'I'm a school boy' whilst we were taking his photo. Because it was pouring with rain here (again) all the kids went into the same door and I think he was a bit overwhelmed by all the people but went into his classroom fine. It's not a very big class but there are 3 Michaels - we didn't realise we'd picked such a common name! Anyway they have a 2 week settling in period so finish at 12 so we'll see what he says when we pick him up. Ds2 is back at preschool today and he went in fine too. The house is so quiet!!

Sally my ds2 did the commando crawling too for MONTHS before he finally worked out there was an easier way to do it!

Just dawned on me last night that this is the first time I've been on maternity leave over the summer and it has just pi**ed down raining the entire time!!!!

[gingermumi]

where is everyone?

Glad it went ok at dentist egg, i absolutely hate going, am impressed that you needed so little done!

Had a another quick read of what i've missed, i agree about boys clothes and what really annoys me is that boys are all 'terrors, trouble, monsters or mucky pups' and girls are 'gorgeous or pricesses'! talk about predetermining their roles and reinforcing every stereotype in the book. Ds is not trouble and i hate buying things that say that he is (so i don't!). It is difficut to find things that are sloganless but asda sometime has plain tops. I don't mind some of the designs but its the slogans that get me. Orange is currently my fave colour for ds (prob not the best choice with his ginger ninja locks but i think he looks cool! ).

He's just gone down for a slepp, it's raining really hard so i'm going to have a quiet (and hot) cup of tea in peace. DD2 out with boyfriend (gone to monkey world and lulworth cove) so should be a quiet day. Have one of the mums from baby group coming over later with her ds who is a bit older than toby.

Still no teeth (ds not me) and like your dd egg, not much moving about. am v of all those who have babies that are starting to be more active. Ds sits up and only falls back sometimes now and he loves being on his feet. It worries me sometimes that he's slower but i asked HV today and she said he's fine (taking into account fact that he was 4 weeks early). She put his development at around 7 months which is slap bang between actual age and corrected age. I think she thinks i'm a bit mad! Did the whole bit about babies developing at different rates and tbh if someone had said it to me i would have said the same. Does anyone elses lo do a funny grasping thing where they open and close their hand over and again? ds does, especially when he's tired or cross. HV didn't seem worried about but i worry a bit because my 8 year old neice (who has cereal palsy) does it. Again i think the HV thought i was being crazy lady (she did'nt say so, i just felt she thought it!).

Ah well, better get that cuppa before ds wakes up again. Have a good day one and all

[gingermumi]

Aww bless rozzy Are YOU coping ok with it? Funnily enough it when when dds started senior school it upset me most (that really did seem like the end of an era!

Now, i must get that cuppa!

[Slacker]

Aww Rozzy, starting school! Typical to have 3 with the same name in his class, I don't know any little Michaels I don't think, but DS3's name is rather more popular than I'd anticipated so he does sometimes have to be Theo X.

God this weather is awful, DH is taking DS1 & 3 camping and climbing later, just down the road so I expect they'll be back for changes of clothes!

OK so who is up for Bicester village then? Tyaca, Princess, anyone else...? Probably better for me after kids are back at school in Sept, although it would be nice to bring DD...well I don't mind, whatever suits others.

DS4 is growing up so fast, he can sit up for a while now without toppling over! Also shouting is a new hobby of his. He's currently fixated on CBeebies - I am a BAD MOTHER!!

Princess, the new childcare sounds good, although I would make it quite clear before she starts what expectations you have so she doesn't take the piss (we've been burned with DH's sister 'helping out' for money and being both useless and obnoxious!). Sure your arrangement will run smoothly.

Bean - cute photos! Nice to put faces to names (or nicknames anyway)

[sarahmikeharryandrosie]

hi everyone-

Was up with DD last night she was hungry at 3-30- think it must be a groeth spurt as she has selpt so well since well forever!!!! think we may start the dream feed again!!!!

All well here, i am feeling much better, DS is still bored and really needs preschool but he doesn't start back till sept 18th OMG- we are off to meet a fried at our local wacky warehouse later today so that should be fun!!!!!

Bet is very quiet in your house Rozzy-.

Ginger how was your cuppa????

SPk later ladies

[rozzyraspberry]

Yes was quiet until we picked ds1 and ds2 up at lunchtime. Strike is affecting preschool so ds2 at home tomorrow but ds1's school is luckily not affected.

I'm coping fine with it actually. Quite surprising given the state I was in on his last day of preschool. Think it'll be more difficult when he's there from 9 to 3.15 - will be strange that he's going to be out over lunch time.

[gingermumi]

LOL sarah- by the time i had finished messing about, made the drink and got to the living room he blardy woke up!! typical!

Where is everyone today!

[missnatalie]

HELLO EVERYONE!!!

I havnt been on here for ages!! And were on a 3rd thread already. How is everyone doing? Theres way too much reading for me to catch up on but hope your all doing well.

Ive been so busy lately and Henley is 27w already . I just dont know where the time has gone.

I started weaning him at 24w and at first it was a total nightmare. He refused everything apart from his bottle. 3w later and hes eating anything he can get in his mouth but refusing his milk . Does anyone know if this is normal? Hes gone from 9-10 bottles a day to 2 at the most at 7oz a time.

He's no longer sleeping through either. Think its his teeth that are bothering him. Hes cut his bottom 2 (there so cute) and i can just about feel one on the top.

I took hime to the clinic today and his weight gain is good. He now weighs 18lb 4oz. His weight is on the 50th centinal but his height is on the 95th. Hes gonna be a tall boy.

On his calcium and vid d deficiency. He hasnt had a seizure for a long time now and hes completly off all his meds. The only thing he has it multi-vitamins. He goes back to see his consultant in 3w and im hoping that he gets the all clear and is discharged.

Thats all thats happening with us really.

I havnt managed to lose any weight but i havnt put any on either. I bought a pair of those Trinny and Susannah sliming pants. The ones that start at your knees and finish just under your boobs. There fab!

Henley has just started crying AGAIN gona try and give him a bottle.

I'll have a good read tomorrow to try and catch up.

[CountTo10]

Bloody weather, it's so depressing!! Hello everyone, hope we're all ok. Sooo bored, can't bring myself to go to another soft play centre!! We've just been chilling out and luckily ds1 has been so superbly behaved the last couple of days.

DS2's eye has cleared up now and fingers crossed noone else seems to have it. Of course now I've said that, we'll all wake up with it tomorrow!! He's not himself at the mo though. Usually he's really chilled and full of smiles but last couple of days he's been gripey and unsettled so teeth are defo on their way I just hope its not much longer.

Ginger - I was concerned re ds2's dvpment but he's coming on a bit now and as he gets bigger he gets stronger. He's not sitting up 100% on his own but he's getting there. Not sure re the hand thing, ds2 does tend to open and close his hands a lot, i think there's a point where they really become concious of the control they have over them and the feeling of them opening and shutting I guess is quite interesting. If you're concerned though, you should mention it.

Ooooo I'm up for bicester, it's not that far from me and any excuse for a bit of shopping!!

[CountTo10]

It's been ages since I updated myself on this. I lost another 3lb this last fortnight but given that I had a stomach bug and then took a couple of days to get back into eating properly, I can't help thinking it'll all go back on by the next time!!!

Leesmum START 10st 4lbs CURRENT 9st 7lb TARGET 9st 4lbs
Egg START 8st 7lbs CURRENT 8st 2lbs TARGET 8st 3lbs
Beautiful START 12st 9lbs, CURRENT ??? TARGET 10st 4lbs
Sally START 75kg CURRENT 73kg TARGET 68kg
Alkar START 10st 10lb CURRENT 9st 12lb TARGET 9st 7
Gill START 9st 9lb CURRENT 9st 1lb TARGET 8st 7lb
Beansprout START 9st 7lb CURRENT 8st 6lb TARGET 8st 7lb
Rozzyrasperry START 11st 3lb CURRENT 9st 12lb TARGET 9st 12lb
Mutha2beagain START 10st 3lb CURRENT 10st0lb TARGET 9st 7lb
CountTo10 START 11st 6lb CURRENT 10st 1lb TARGET 9st 7lb
Gingermumi START 13st Current 12st 10lb target 11 st
BovrilSarnies START 11st 6lbs CURRENT 11st 0lb TARGET 9st 4lbs
Tyaca START 11st 7lb CURRENT 10st 3lb TARGET 9st 7lb
morningglory: START 7st10 CURRENT 7st10 Target 6st13
Omy: Start 70 kilos Current 69.5 kilos Target 63.5 kilos
Bessie123: START 11st 7lb CURRENT 11st 3lb TARGET 9st 7lb

[strawberrycornetto]

Hello. I am a mum with a Feb 08 baby. Is it too late to join this club?? I'm new to MN too but it seems great, I wish I had found you all this time last year!

My DS was born on 26 February and I also have a DD who is 3 and 3/4s. It would be great to find out how other mums and babies are getting on.

Thanks

[CountTo10]

Hi strawberry and welcome!! Never too late to join. Think I'd go mad if I didn't have this some times!! There's quite a few of us in here that also have a first child of that age too so you're in good company!!

[strawberrycornetto]

Thanks Count, looking forward to meeting you all!!

[Gill79]

Hi Strawberry! Welcome on board. And welcome back Miss Natalie.

Ginger - DS does all sorts of wierd things which make me think OMG he's disabled / mad / very very simple. He opens and closes his hands a lot if he thinks there might be something to pick up.

So is there a good baby clothes shop at Bicester Village? If there's a nice place for lunch I could very well be persuaded!

Count you've lost loads of weight! Well done.

I too am a bit upset about the summer now it is pretty much over. How unfair - just when I have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the garden and wander in the park. In some ways it's good that it's not so hot though as it's easier to be outside with DS and not worry about the sun and also I can avoid the old dilemma of tan-now-and-look-nice-now versus not-look-like-an-old-bag-at-40. I usually go for the first option!!