June 2008 - The Olympics are here and Mums deserve gold medals

[ThePenguinProject]

Thought I'd start a new thread before we ran out of space! Couldn't remember the exact name suggestion so have paraphrased, the sentiment is still the same though...

Thanks for the wellwishes, I am feeling so much better , the last feed I only had wince a bit and curl my toes up, not actually cry and breathe through it like earlier today.

It is the 2nd time, I've had it, this time we walked for quite a way on Monday, E didn't feed properly all day, yesterday he fed loads and wasn't settled, then it just got worse and worse. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now though.

Allipalli - like Peter , ethan decided he would wake up more last night for more feeds!

Glad the pain isn't so bad Deb. Sounds horrible though. BF is the only thing I have ever done where the pain is actually toe curling. I thought it was just a saying before.

Fivegomad thanks for the reassurance. I know we will get there in the end, I just have moments of massive self doubt.

Taking Peter into work tomorrow. Not really looking forward to it. I am worried about being quizzed by my boss about plans for returning to work, and having to BF in front of my male twenty-something colleagues.

oooh ooooh - I am wearing my pre-pregnancy jeans and they are only a little bit tight . I'm not being horribly smug as they are a size bigger than I would like to be wearing and they are really quite snug. They are also quite high-waisted and I STILL have a muffin top! Can a muffin top really extend as far as one's breasts? Evidently so. I'm very happy though as I thought they might not even go over my bum.

Deb - glad you're feeling better.

Amber def. agree with you about getting out. It really makes a difference doesn't it?

Ernest - I feel a bit trapped, too. I've been a SAHM for too long to be fit for anything else. Not that there is anything else I want to do (or can't think of anything anyway). I tortured myself the other day by looking up what my former colleagues are up to and they all seem to be doing terribly well. Silly of me as I do realise how lucky I am.

My friend has just been referred to a gynae after ttc for 9 years - can't understand why it's taken so long to get a referral, but I am SO hoping it works out for her. She and her DH would be lovely parents.

rolf ..I know what you mean re muffin top..mine is more like a wedding cake top its that big.

debglad things easing a bit

amber you are so right about getting out helping... and do agree that things getting better -when not been blue (whcih tends to be when trying to get madam off to sleep), have loved how lively edie has become and what a character she is.

allipallibaby whisperer currently propping up the cot adn gina at back of shelf (tbh thoguht it wouldnt work before birth as couldnt get throug the book adn thought her timings looked slightly ambitous)... am happy that we have our own sort of routine and that is good enough.

have big glass of red wine but mourning lack of decent tv now mock the week has finished -dh out on lash, so have decided need my own night out (that has got to help morale.. I had a baby not lost all social sense)

poppy, I'm also a big Mock the Week fan - didn't realise it finished this week .

Can I ask a quick question about teething? My NCT group seem to have all got v fixated on the fact that their LOs are teething because they are dribbling alot and sticking their hands in their mouths. Alex does this but my HV has assured me this is because of discovering his hands and exploring taste etc. I know babies can teeth at 10-12 wks but surely it isn't so common that three of my seven NCT friends would be experiencing this?

Just interested in any thoughts. Thanks.

My DD did this in front of mother and MIL, I said hungry and exploring, they both looked at each otgher and said teething, she started 3 months later.

sponge... agree that sounds way to early for all your nct friends to be teethign (unless there is somethign in water round your way! )..having same thing re dribbling/hands and biting but assumed it was just an early phase of discovery -she'll also munch on muslins, me, dh or toys given half a chance..reckon its bollox re teething - i will admit I looked it up but more as didn't know when they teethed rather than thinking it was now - per the book it can be anything from 4 months onwards whcih sounds more sensible (I am no doctor but you'd think that teeth start to develop around the time you would be beginning to move to proper food)

Thanks 5gomad!! That's what I thought - I suspect a little bit of competitive parenting going on tbh, but I just smile and nod and keep quiet!

"Sponge" I never thought I would say this, but I reckon your HV is right . When DD2 sucks her hands it seems to me more like the thrill of finding them, and sucking something that doesn't squirt milk at her.

"Ali" good luck taking Peter into work tomorrow.

Oh, and Amber meant to ask, why does sleep deprivation kick in at 3 mths? Does this mean their sleep patterns get worse or we just get less able to deal with it?

Rolf, congrats on the jeans .

Rolf, x-posted! Lol at agreeing with my HV!

WARNING: Huge post alert...

I love this thread and the support you all give. Happy to say DH, Ryder and I had a lovely day at Kew gardens today and dinner out as well and I feel much more back to normal.

As I was tidying up before we left I caught sight of a book I bought ages ago but never got round to reading called the 'power of now'. It reminded me to try living in the moment and not to lament the past or worry about the future. It meant I enjoyed today and my time with my darling two men so much more. It worked for me for today anyway.

BDQ - I actually dreamt about work and Ryder being in nursery last night....In my dream I forgot him. And bargain muslins! Hedgehog - Perfect for you to dye? ;0) Essie - My printed ikea ones are cute and seem good so far.

Poppy - We'd love to see you for a London meet up - everyone on the thread is welcome if they're in London anytime. We're a friendly bunch in RL.

KTpie - Hope the jabs were ok for your LO.

Cleaning and Clutter - I hate living in a mess, however I find cleaning up every day only for it to be messy again the next day mind numbingly depressing! Agree re: muslins (and dummies) being everywhere. But when I tidy them all up Ryder needs one and I cannot find any.... Seriously considering getting a cleaner, for our two bedroom flat. What price sanity/laziness?

Rolf&Ernest - The SAHM thing is funny, I'm the main breadwinner and will have to go back to work in Jan and DH will stay at home. Even though things have been hard, I am envious of him, whilst at the same time wondering if I could really be a SAHM full time. It is seriously hard - and I've only been doing it for 10 weeks! I take my hat off to all SAHM's - you rock.

Alipalli - Peter is a lovely, healthy, happy baby. So you're doing something very right even without a routine . I know what you mean about being naturally ordered tho. Good luck at work tomorrow.

Amber - 3 trains? Well done you!

Rolf - Congrats on the jeans!

Gutted Mock the Week is finished, will miss Frankie and Dara. (Think I actually have one of those can't admit it out loud crushes on Dara).

Teething - DH's colleagues had babies a few weeks before us and their babies are all alledgedly teething. I think it's the 'there must be a logical reason for everything they do' syndrome. I suffer from this syndrom myself, but luckily not in relation to dribbling and hand sucking.

Wishing you all good nights with your LO's.

rolf v. about jeans.

pp glad you had a good day out at Kew.

good luck at work alipalli

I've felt fed up about being sahm for ages now - had decided to go back to work last year, then we ended up moving and having another baby. not knowing a living soul makes it a lot worse as I never have anyone to talk to and now ds1 & 2 back at school, My day starts of like a big balloon of stress, getting them out of bed, nagging them to get dressed, eat breafast brush teeth etc etc, the balloon grows bigger and bigger wth naggy stress till bang the bus takes them away, and I'm left on my own (well, with ds3 & dd) and a messy messy house and loads of boring boring housework. I am going to go insane if there is no change.

Morning all,

Sorry not been around for a couple of days - DH has had 2 consecutive days off and not even had to go into work (that never happens, Pizza Hut always has its managers on call)
We have been over to winnie the poohs birth place (hundred acre wood) and played poohsticks on the bridge where it was invented. Think we enjoyed it more than Isaac, but have finally found something I can beat DH at - I am the Poohsticks Queen!!!!!
And I now have a half glazed greenhouse in my back garden in preparation for all the healthy veggies we are going to grow for weaning [for we read me] [for healthy veggies read carrots, chillies and tomatoes]
We are off up to Hertfordshire to meet all of DH's side of the family this evening and I have to be prepared incase we decide to stay over, don't think DH realises how much that involves even for one night.
teething SBBP mnust be an NCT thing as 3 of my friends assure me that their 11 week olds are teething and aren't I glad Isaac is only 9 weeks old. He has been dribbling and sucking hands too but has found his thumb this week as well, and also happily sucks on anything, DH wants to give him empty beer bottles to suck
BDQ thanks for the muslin link
essie will email you with a couple of links, let me know the colours you would like and we can sort something out.
If anyone else is interested in some bright coloured ones let me know

Right off to wash Nappies again

Poor you Ernest, you sound really fed up, not knowing anyone must be really hard. Did you ever get the parachute book that someone mentioned on the 'back to work' thread? Seeing your post this morning has again reminded me that I should get it. I've also bookmarked this site which has loads of job/personality tests that you may find useful or just plain fun if you get the chance.

HH - At Kew Gardens we went in the giant greenhouses yesterday and the heat and the smell was lovely. My Mum was a gardner and the smell bought back so many happy memories....I now want a greenhouse with lots of tomato plants for that reason alone.

Off out in London with DH today - hope eveyone has good days.

sponge Three months is when your body has had enough of not enough sleep and starts to not be able to cope so well (walking into walls/dizziness/depression/forgetfulness etc).

Re the boredom of being SAHM I have already decided that at 6 months Luke is off to Nursery for 2 mornings a week. Seing how excited he was by my friend's 6 month old I don't feel so bad about it. Every time her little one let out a screach Luke laughed his head off (and that's only the third occasion he has laughed ever!). I don't care if people think I'm a bad person because I think he'll like it as he'll get loads of extra stimulation - he must be bored shitless of me! That'll leave me free to do non baby things - like go to the gym, shopping for clothes, watching TV uninterrupted!

Morning all,

Feeling a bit cheerier today. S has been a bit fractious the last couple of days, but he had a really good nights sleep and been ok so far. Have loads of housework to do as we're having people over tomorrow so hopefully he'll be good all day. Bit gutted though as for the first time in AGES its a nice day and I would much rather go to the part. Am determined that from next week that I will get out for a walk at least every day.

Ernest sorry things suck so much at the moment. Can you start thinking about a longer term plan so you've got something to focus on in the future? Or any chance you can afford a cleaner at least ?

Teeth/hands/dribbling - S does this and he's not quite 8 weeks so I'm sure he's not teething. He did start reaching out for the toys on his baby gym and bouncy chair yesterday though which made me smile!

about jeans Rolf. 2 years ago I was a size 10. I had to buy size 16 post baby. Even then, they are very dull highish waisted bootcut jeans - any nice size 16 jeans are too small. Hence my resolve to start to get out walking! Been warned off anything more strenuous though by physio on account of dodgy post-baby back.

Re: baby books - I just pick the bits that work for me and ignore the rest. I think everyone finds a balance that works for them eventually.

DH and I have decided to try S in his cot along with a new improved bed/bath routine in about a weeks time. ANyone got any tips for moving from moses basket to cot? We've picked a week when we're not too busy so we can give it our full attention.

PP have a lovely day with your DH today.

Thanks for all your get well vibes on my mastitis. Clearing up now, though I keep forgetting to take the antibiotics.

deb - really sorry to hear you're now suffering with it. Are you taking antibiotics?

Poppy - agree about not wanting baby crap everywhere (and toddler crap in my case). I have to clear it all up every evening once they are in bed, for my own sanity. On the rare occasion that I go out, am always amazed that DH is perfectly happy to sit among bits of puzzle, discarded bits of rice cake, dirty muslins etc all evening without batting an eyelid.

Hope all those feeling blue feel happier soon. I agree that tiredness is such a factor Essie. Also, I think this weather doesn't help. We're supposed to be having an Indian summer, so hopefully a sunny September will make things much more bearable...

PP, glad you had a lovely day out in Kew and are feeling a little brighter.

Ernest, so sorry things are feeling hard at the moment. Not having adult company must be v hard. Are there no toddler groups over there or do the logistics of 4 LOs make these too difficult (I know your eldest are at school but that comes with its own ties too doesn't it?).

hedgehog, lol at your LO only being 9 weeks! So he'll be teething in two wks time then - have fun!

Amber, I don't think anyone would think you're a bad person for putting Luke in nursery a couple times of week so you have some time to yourself. I'm intending to be a SAHM at the moment, but sometimes I do wonder whether a couple of days apart from my little boy wouldn't do us both the world of good. There's no financial incentive for me to go back to work cos my p/t salary wouldn't cover the cost of childcare but dh and I have discussed whether I just go back for a break! We'll see . . . .

Bdq, my HV has advised putting A's Moses basket into the cot first for a couple of nights and then moving A into the cot. Also poppy advised putting a t-shirt of yours/dh's into the cot with him to settle him (one that's been worn of course so it smells of you and not just washing powder! )

My LO used to sleep on a sheepskin in his moses basket and I transfered that to the cot and we had no trouble apart from his wriggling as it was so muc bigger! Also got a divider that makes the cot smaller.

I just slung mine in the cot (big cot bed too) did this at about 5 weeks, with no bother at all.

cot I have been putting Isaac in his when we are running his bath, when i want to get dressed and for daytime naps. I have found that the key is making sure that he has the same toys in all his environments - moses basket, Cot and also pram/travel system

SBBP my LO is the youngest by 3 weeks of my NCT class so they all have vast amounts of experience compared to me. Although I seem to have the easiest baby [smug mummy]

Ooh, loads of lovely long posts. Won't be able to reply to all, but some selected comments here!
Penguin welcome back and glad you're feeling better. Rolf - wouldn't feel bad about not 'achieving' as much as your ex-colleagues - getting back into those jeans sounds like a major achievement to me! And Ernest too, I agree with Penguin - being a SAHM is twice as much hard work as my other job.
Sponge Iestyn has mega-dribble issues (permanently wet top), and his hand is always in his mouth. I keep checking for teeth - my sister had 10 by the time she was 1 year old, but then they didn't start coming at 10 weeks. He does have one tiny little white dot on one of his back teeth (you can see where the teeth are in the gums) but I thought the front ones came first. I don't think he's teething really, and I thought teething came later.

Off to see a friend today. But following me clipping Iestyn's finger, I got DH to do the fingernails. DH clipped his thumb - but Iestyn didn't scream the house down in pain like he did when I did it! However, it's bled like billyo, and he's got blood all over his nice clean babygro . When should I start worrying? It's the tinyest cut, but still bleeding.

Missed out loads of things I think. Oh, Amber - getting depressed just thinking about that three month mark!

Hedgehog hooray, am I going to be your very first customer in your new business?